John Terry responds to Enzo Maresca’s letter:
“I read every word of Enzo’s letter, and all I saw were excuses. You don’t walk away from Chelsea halfway through a season because Manchester City called. That’s not a ‘difficult decision’ that’s choosing your own career over the club that trusted you and picked you up from Championship.
You say Chelsea treated you well, yet you left the players, fans and staff to deal with the mess. That’s sneaky behaviour, and no apology changes that. If you can abandon Chelsea for Manchester City today, don’t be surprised if you abandon Manchester City for Real Madrid tomorrow. Loyalty isn’t something you write in a farewell letter it’s something you prove with your actions.”
When people ask me why I still believe in sports as a pathway for youth development, stories like this are part of my answer.
Somebody sent me the Zadok Yohanna story this morning and honestly, I had to read it twice.
Born in Bauchi. Moved to Kaduna on his own as a young boy to chase a football dream. Flew to Sweden less than a year ago. And today, at just 18 years old, Brighton have reportedly signed him for £21.5 million, beating some of the biggest clubs in world football to secure his signature.
Think about that for a moment.
A teenager from northern Nigeria, armed with little more than talent, discipline and determination, has forced his way into one of the most competitive talent markets on earth.
This is why I will always believe in investing in young people. Not because every child will become a professional footballer, but because talent exists everywhere in this country. What is often missing is opportunity, structure, support and belief.
My vision in establishing the Kwara Football Academy and @ABSIlorinFC was rooted in this same belief, and it has given opportunities to players like Dennis Emmanuel Bonaventure, Olusegun Oakunle, Benjamin Frederick, Mubarak Gata, David Okoromi and a host of others now plying their trade in both local and international clubs.
Nigerians are an extraordinarily talented people. That has never been in question. What stories like Zadok’s remind us is what can happen when talent meets opportunity.
I encourage the Nigeria Football Federation @thenff, the National Sports Commission @NatSportsComm, and the National Institute for Sports, to look into creating the enabling environment for more football academies aimed at discovering more talents like Zadok Yohanna, as the global searchlight beams on Nigeria as the football destination for Africa.
To every young person chasing a dream that seems impossible today: keep going. Your current circumstances do not have to define your future.
And to Zadok: Congratulations! The whole world can now see your talent, but this is only the beginning. Keep working, stay grounded, and never forget the journey that brought you here. As you said yourself, “I know where I came from.” Hold on to that mindset.
What a shame it would be to pass through this life… and leave no trace of yourself behind. No younger version of you running around. No blood carrying your name forward. No life that you created.
Go have kids. Be bold. Be brave.
It won’t kill you — but time? Time waits for no one.
Dear son,
Avoid staying indoors for a whole day.
Social media is one reason people don't go out. This explains the high rate of depression among this generation.
But your phone cannot take the place of social gathering and talking to people.
— Go out and meet new people.
— Join a football/tennis team
— Find a new hobby
— Learn to swim
Just go out and engage in an activity.
🚨 Manchester City won 8 straight games before Rodri’s return from injury.
Since he came back, they’ve drawn three in a row, lost to Manchester United, and are now losing to Bodø/Glimt after he was sent off for the first time in the Champions League.
Their only win in that spell came against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and Rodri was on the bench.