Is John Obi taking the Mikel?

He’s still called John Obi Mikel – but not as we know it.

The Chelsea midfielder has decided to reorder his name after an administrative blunder back in 2003 changed the course of history… as far as his name is concerned.

While registering him for the Fifa Under-17 World Championships, the Nigeria Football Association wrongly submitted his first name as ‘Mikel’ instead of ‘Michael’.

But so enamoured was he with the new spelling, Mikel decided to use it as his surname from then on – until now that is.

AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS

The 29-year-old, who is currently preparing for the Rio Olympics with Nigeria, has officially changed his name to Mikel John Obi, though ‘Mikel’ will still appear on the back of his shirt.

To make matters just that tad more confusing, Mikel was born John Michael Nchekwube Obinna but took the shortened surname of his father Michael Obi.