Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has opened up about life beyond football, admitting that he had no clear alternative career path if the sport had not worked out for him.
The Nottingham Forest full-back made the revelation during a light-hearted conversation on the Calvin Bassey Talks podcast, where he reflected on his school days alongside close friends and international teammates Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo.
Aina, who grew up in London and attended school with Iwobi, explained that academics never came as naturally to him as they did to some of his friends. According to the defender, both Iwobi and Aribo possessed the intelligence and academic discipline to build successful careers outside football if they had chosen different paths.
“If I didn’t play football, I was finished. In school, I tried but academics wasn’t my thing. These my brothers (pointing to Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo), they could really be doctors and the likes if they want. Don’t lie, Alex. Alex the mathematician.”
His remarks immediately drew a response from fellow Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey, who agreed with Aina’s assessment of Iwobi’s academic abilities.
“I know Alex is smart.”
Aina then doubled down on his praise for the Fulham midfielder.
“Alex was a mathematician. This man was book-smart. You feel me. As for me, I don’t know, you know.”
Iwobi, however, was quick to remind his longtime friend that he also possessed talents outside football and academics.
“But you do art, man. I lie?”
Despite the encouragement, Aina insisted that football was always the only path he truly believed could work for him.
“Yeah, but, I’m honest. So, with football, I had to. By force.”
The exchange offered fans a rare glimpse into the friendship and personalities within the Super Eagles camp, highlighting the different strengths each player possessed long before reaching the professional level.
Fortunately, football proved to be the perfect career choice for all three stars. Aina has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dependable full-backs at Nottingham Forest, Iwobi remains a key figure for Fulham, while Aribo continues to enjoy a successful career in European football.
Their journey from talented youngsters in England to senior Nigerian internationals demonstrates that while football ultimately became their profession, their abilities and potential extended far beyond the pitch.
