Middlesbrough midfielder John Mikel Obi has revealed that his father’s kidnap has left him a better person.

The former Chelsea player was on duty for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia while his father was being kidnapped.

John Mikel Obi was informed of his father’s kidnap shortly before he led the Super Eagles for their final game in Group D of the tournament against Argentina.

Narrating the kidnapping ordeal of his father (Pa Mikel Obi) with Sportsworld on BBC World Service, John Mikel Obi thought that his father would be killed by the kidnappers.

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr gave Mikel Obi the permission to miss the crucial match against Argentina but the former Chelsea midfielder opted to play the game.

Mikel Obi and Nigeria crashed out of the tournament after they were beaten 2-1 by two-time world champions Argentina in their final Group D game but the John Mikel Obi revealed that the kidnapping ordeal of his father made him a better person.

He has been earning rave reviews since joining Championship side Middlesbrough as a free agent at the start of this year.