Football world has celebrated former Nigeria and Ajax star, Finidi George across the globe as he hits the iconic age of 50 on Thursday.
Considered to be one of Nigeria’s greatest wingers, the legendary former footballer took to his Instagram page to celebrate life and attainment of the golden jubilee age.
He posted a picture of himself with the caption;
Just to wake up and see the light today is special. Am half a century already. It’s a good day to be happy. I pray to God for another 50.
View this post on Instagram
World football governing body (FIFA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as well as Dutch club, Ajax Amsterdam, led the queue in terms of eulogies for the talented winger who has now become a coach.
Finidi, who made his debut for Nigeria in 1991 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso, providing three assists for Rashidi Yekini and scoring one in a 7–1 rout, made a name for himself at Ajax with which he won the Champion League in 1995.
One of the memorable moments of his football career was at USA 1994 World Cup when Finidi scored a lovely goal against Greece and celebrated the goal with a ‘doggy style move’.
‘Finito’ as Finidi was called because of his very accurate deliveries was adjudged as one of the very best Number 7s (right winger) during his playing days for club and country.
After making a name for himself at some Nigerian clubs like Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC, Finidi exported his silky skills abroad; playing in the Dutch League, Spain and also in England.
NFF took to its Twitter handle to celebrate the legend, saying;
50 hearty cheers to former @NGSuperEagles forward, Finidi George. Thank you George for the memories and have a good one. Happy Golden Jubilee anniversary #Legend.
50 hearty cheers to former @NGSuperEagles forward, Finidi George. Thank you George for the memories and have a good one. Happy Golden Jubilee anniversary #Legend pic.twitter.com/NRirQ1MZG9
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) April 15, 2021
Finidi made a name for himself at Ajax in the Netherlands where he became a shining light with the Dutch giants and contributed greatly to their success at that time both on the domestic scene and of course in Europe.
At Ajax, Finidi won eight major titles, including the 1995 Champions League.
It was thus not surprising to see fellow Ajax legends including former coach Louis Van Gaal all wishing Finidi well as he celebrates his Golden Jubilee in a video on Thursday.
Other legends spotted on the three-minutes plus video include Patrick Kluivert, Edwin van dar Saar, Frank De Boer, Marc Overmars, among others.
AFC Ajax with their Twitter handle @AFCAjax tweeted;
Happy birthday to a legend from some legends.
Happy birthday to a legend from some legends.
Finidi George = ! pic.twitter.com/zHS8WhDv80
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 15, 2021
Apart from his success in the Dutch League, Finidi also played for several years in Spain with Real Betis and Mallorca while also having a brief spell in England with Ipswich before retiring.
FIFA World Cup with Twitter handle @FIFAWorldCup tweeted;
What do you do when your golazo helps the @NGSuperEagles win a group including Argentina at the #WorldCup? You celebrate by mimicking a urinating dog. What a thrilling winger, goal, celebration and team! Happy 50th birthday, Finidi George.
🦅 What do you do when your golazo helps the @NGSuperEagles win a group including Argentina at the #WorldCup? You celebrate by mimicking a urinating dog 🐶🤣
🤩 What a thrilling winger, goal, celebration and team!
🎁 Happy 50th birthday, Finidi George 🎂pic.twitter.com/mNavqB9n2x
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 15, 2021
