The Nigeria Captain admitted to choosing Aspetar as his preferred destination due to the renown of its internationally-recognised physiotherapists. Speaking about his decision to choose Aspetar as his preferred destination, Mikel said:

After picking up an injury in the second game of the season in China, I thought of heading to London for surgery.

Then I started making some phone calls to ask about the best treatment centres, especially for an athlete with my injury. I decided to come to Qatar after learning that Aspetar has very good rehab centers, and physiotherapists who have a lot of expertise in the field and know what they are doing. I spent 11 years with my former club, Chelsea, and I have always had my treatments there before moving to China. I think Aspetar’s facilities, physiotherapists and doctors are similar to Chelsea’s. That is also why I enjoy my time here

he added.

Aspetar has one of the most advanced rehabilitation departments in the region, equipped with the best expertise and the latest technologies. The hospital’s method focuses on assessment and treatment of injured athletes by implementing high-level injury treatment programmes.

Utilising an evidence-based approach, Aspetar’s experienced practitioners in physiotherapy and rehabilitation aim to return patients to their pre-injury lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible with a proven track record of screening, treating and rehabilitating world-renowned international athletes.

Aspetar has become an ideal treatment and rehabilitation destination for elite athletes from Europe, including Stoke City goalkeeper, Jack Butland, whose injury left him out of action for a year, Northern Ireland and Watford FC footballer, Craig Cathcart, and Icelandic footballers Eidur Gudjohnsen and Alfreð Finnbogason. As the official medical partner to French club Paris-Saint Germain (PSG), Aspetar’s experts have also provided surgical treatment for injured players Thomas Meunier and Ivan Kurzawa.

Former French International and Sunderland’s footballer, Younes Kaboul, as well as Club Brugge’s footballer, Abdoulay Diaby, left Aspetar last week after receiving treatment in the hospital, making them the latest international players to benefit from Aspetar’s services.

-Ends-

About Aspetar:

ASPETAR is a world leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Since 2007, with a world expert team, the hospital has provided top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the-art facility that sets new standards internationally.

In 2009, Aspetar was accredited as a “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence” by F-MARC. In 2013, Aspetar was adopted as a reference collaborator centre by the Gulf Countries Council (GCC) Health Ministers Council and “Member of the IOC Research Network since 2014.

In 2015, Aspetar has been recognised as the “IHF Reference Centre for Athlete and Referee Health”. In the same year, the hospital also achieved the obtained on December 15 the Accreditation Canada International (ACI) “Platinum Level”.

ASPETAR is a member–organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s innovative sports and healthy lifestyle destination.

Watch the Interview with John Obi Mikel