Ghanaian football icon, Michael Essien, is widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest footballers who significantly boosted the popularity of European football on the continent.
Many football enthusiasts argue that Essien’s reputation as the finest box-to-box midfielder from Africa is unquestionable, placing him among the continent’s best midfielders.
Essien gained fame after joining Chelsea in 2006 from Olympique Lyon, where he had already shown exceptional skills. However, his time at Chelsea propelled him to global stardom.
During his stint, Essien consistently ranked among the top contenders for the African Footballer of the Year award for five consecutive seasons, with one second-place finish and four third-place finishes.
This remarkable achievement made him a favorite among many African football fans, including renowned Kenyan sports journalist Collins Okinyo.
In 2017, Okinyo disclosed that he named his son after Michael Essien, whom he considers his all-time favorite African footballer.
According to reports by herosportsgh, Okinyo explained that his decision to name his son after the former Black Stars and Chelsea star stemmed from his admiration for Essien’s ‘immense qualities’.
The name Essien is a common Ghanaian name, particularly among the Akan clan, especially the Fantes.
Okinyo’s son, Prince John Essien, is a 13-year-old midfielder who is also passionate about football.
