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

Defender Ola Aina said that football was the only realistic route to success for him, revealing that he struggled academically and had little confidence he could thrive outside the sport.

The Super Eagles star made the candid admission while reflecting on his rise to the top, contrasting himself with teammates he described as intellectually capable of pursuing other careers.

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

“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.”

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

Aina’s remarks offer 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.

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

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

Vanguard News

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