What I am missing - Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha reveals one way football has changed

Jay Jay Okocha was in Munich to watch PSG lift the Champions League.

What I am missing - Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha reveals one way football has changed

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 11:13 - 09.05.2025

Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha laments the loss of creative freedom in modern football, urging PSG’s dribblers to express themselves boldly for the team’s success, as shared in a TNT Sports video.

Nigerian football legend Jay Jay Okocha, celebrated for his incredible dribbling ability and flair, has shared a poignant reflection on the evolution of modern football.

In a video shared by TNT Sports, Okocha, commenting on PSG’s current squad of talented dribblers, expressed a sense of longing for the creative freedom that once defined the game.

PAY ATTENTION: Get N1000 free from Bet9ja

His remarks, made during the electric atmosphere of the Champions League semifinal second leg between PSG and Arsenal in Paris, struck a chord with fans.

“We see that football has changed,” Okocha said, his voice carrying the weight of nostalgia.

Jay Jay Okocha and Samuel Eto'o in Paris.

“Players don’t have that liberty, freedom to express themselves, and this is what I am missing.”

“Sometimes, players have to take that responsibility to express themselves, especially when it is for the interest of the team,” he added.

Jay Jay Okocha believes footballers don't have the freedom to express themselves anymore.
Jay Jay Okocha believes footballers don't have the freedom to express themselves anymore.

The former PSG star, who dazzled audiences at the Parc des Princes from 1998 to 2002, highlighted how today’s game, with its emphasis on tactical discipline and structure, often curbs the individuality that players like him once thrived on.

Okocha’s words serve as both a critique and a call to action, urging modern players to seize moments of creativity for the team’s benefit, even within the constraints of contemporary strategies.

Jay Jay Okocha, Super Eagles legend

His reflections resonate deeply in an era where data-driven approaches and rigid formations can overshadow the artistry that makes football so beloved.

As PSG’s current stars aim to weave their magic in the Champions League, Okocha’s insights bridge the past and present, reminding fans of the joy that bold, expressive play brings.

PSG are closing in on a first-ever Champions League title.

For the latest generation of footballers, Okocha’s message is vivid: embrace the freedom to create, and let flair light up the pitch.