Exclusive Wilfred Ndidi Interview

The Premier League star connects with Out Of Home and speaks on dealing with COVID-19, playing against Messi in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and tactics with Brendan Rodgers.

Wilfred Ndidi is not like most footballers. Not many are raised in a military zone in Lagos. Not many are signed by Scottish manager Alex McLleish for Belgian club Genk. Not many are purchased by then Premier League champions Leicester City at the tender age of 19 for the hefty sum of 17 million pounds. Not many players would enrol at a university during their playing career, but as stated earlier, Wilf as his team-mates call him, is cut from a different cloth.

Lagos to Leicester via Genk

Soft-spoken, humble and poised. Wilfred kindly hops on a ZOOM call and shares stories about his career and childhood, whilst also asking the group questions about our roots.

He speaks on being raised in a military zone in Lagos, his father is a still soldier to this very day. Wilf also sheds light on being signed by former Birmingham City and Rangers manager, Alex McLeish for Genk and how he made the transition from defender to defensive midfielder.  

Now a famed and feared defensive midfielder throughout the world, Ndidi has made over 100 league appearances for Leicester City and represented Nigeria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Not bad for a boy who was constantly told he was too skinny for the beautiful game.

“It’s boring, I won’t lie.”

The 23-year old speaks about being forced to train away from team-mates due to the Corona outbreak and the subsequent shutdown of Premier League football.

“We have to follow protocol, training indoors, training in the gym and in the garden. It’s boring, I won’t lie. It’s not like training with others, there’s no-one competing with you or something. I would say we can’t wait for everything to be over and come back to our normal lives”.

It’s been a while, but many may forget early on during the 2019/20 season, Leicester City were one of the few teams to show signs of keeping pace with a rampant Liverpool side who have raced into a virtually unassailable lead. Wilfred Ndidi was driving force behind his team’s form and credits his coach, Brendan Rodgers for that.

“Since he came, I won’t lie to you, I have improved as a player. When he came I understood simple things I never knew. Like understanding space, understanding the game, where you can actually be and improving yourself and technique.”

Over a ZOOM call on a Friday night, Wilf speaks on everything; from his upbringing - having reading difficulties and selling food in the market as a youth, to present day - studying for a university degree in Business Management.

Listen to Wilf’s exclusive interview now for more insights on his inspiring story.