Everton’s Alex Iwobi names the ‘outrageously’ gifted Premier League hero who inspired him

The Nigeria international has become one of the most talked about midfielders in the English top flight following a rise in influence with the Toffees

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has confessed that Nigerian great Austin Okocha was his footballing inspiration in his childhood.

While Alex Iwobi was growing up in London, Austin Okocha was wowing an enthralled Premier League audience with his brilliance, skills, and goals.

The Super Eagles legend became a hero at Bolton Wanderers before retiring from football.

Iwobi watched Okocha, who also happens to be his uncle, while growing up and admits to picking one or two tricks from the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner.

The Everton star is aware that a few youngsters are looking up to him presently, and he is hoping he could inspire the next generation the way Okocha spurred him on to greater heights.

“He (Okocha) was an entertaining player to watch, and the skills he used to do were outrageous skills that you only really see freestylers do, “Iwobi said, as per the Independent.

“So, yeah, hopefully the younger viewers will learn a bit more about him and understand why I chuck in some skills too.

“I mean, that’s what kids want to see, you know – people having fun. He was a fun guy to watch.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m just that same kid that wants to express myself and play football, but when I do realise that ‘Wow, I have an influence on kids’. It’s mad. I just want to put positive things out there for them.

“It’s nice that kids look up to me and try to imitate me and play like me because I was once that kid who used to look up to my uncle.

“I find it weird but I do enjoy it.”

Iwobi has a goal and three assists in ten Premier League games this term.