‘If football didn’t work out for me, I was finished’ — Ola Aina

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Nigeria defender Ola Aina has admitted that football was his only realistic path to success, revealing that he struggled academically and had little confidence that he would have excelled outside the sport.

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The Super Eagles star made the candid admission while reflecting on his journey to the top, contrasting himself with some of his teammates whom he described as intellectually gifted enough to pursue other careers.

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“If I didn’t play football, I was finished. In school, I tried, academically, it was not my thing,” Aina said.

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“Like these men, they could all be doctors, if they wanted to be. Alex is a mathematician, book smart, as for me, football just had to work out.”

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The Nottingham Forest full-back singled out teammate Alex Iwobi for praise, highlighting the midfielder’s intelligence and suggesting he possessed the academic ability to succeed in a profession outside football.

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Aina’s remarks offered a rare glimpse into the pressure many young footballers face, with the 29-year-old acknowledging that the sport represented far more than a passion—it was his lifeline.

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Having risen through Chelsea’s academy before spells with Hull City and Torino, Aina has gone on to establish himself as one of Nigeria’s most dependable defenders and a key figure for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

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Despite his success, the former England youth international’s comments underscored the importance of football in shaping his life, with the defender admitting there was no alternative plan had his career failed to take off.

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