Greek players opposed my captaincy at PAOK - Ifeanyi Udeze

Greek players opposed my captaincy at PAOK - Ifeanyi Udeze

 

Ifeanyi Udeze explains how Greek players opposed his captain candidacy at PAOK on his morning radio show at Brilla FM. (Photo credit: Complete Sports)

Former Super Eagles left-back Ifeanyi Udeze has revealed how his Greek teammates opposed his choice of being captain at PAOK Thessaloniki.

Udeze made this known in Tuesday’s edition of ‘No Holds Barred’ on Brila FM, a show he’s been a part of for many years where he talks about the life and time of footballers past and present, including his own personal story.

The 40-year-old who played for PAOK from 2000 to 2006, compared his captain’s appointment to that of Marcelo’s at Real Madrid.

The legendary Brazilian left-back took over as Sergio Ramos’ replacement, which Udeze said might not go down well with Spanish players at the club but Marcelo was the deputy to Ramos and only logical for him to step up to the plate on the Spaniard’s departure.

“Following the departure of Sergio Ramos, Marcelo was appointed Madrid’s new captain,” Udeze began.

“For me, it is a good selection because it has been long a foreign player was picked as captain of Madrid. And Marcelo has been at Madrid for a very long time and has done well for the club.

“But the truth is Marcelo’s appointment as the new captain may not go down well with the Spanish players in the club which is common.

“I remember when I was to be appointed captain of PAOK Thessaloniki most of the Greek players ganged up against me. The funny part of it is that I remember some of the Greek players who opposed me being captain met me at the club.

“These were players who could not even talk when I was talking. But when it came to the appointment of a new captain they stood against me.

“Luckily, back then we had up to 13 foreign players who stood by me and said I must be made captain. That was how I got the captain’s arm-band.”