The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Fifa and football fans have celebrated with Joseph Yobo on his 40th birthday.
Yobo was born in River State on September 6, 1980, and started his career in his home country with the Michellin-Harcourt academy.
The versatile defender left for Belgium in 1997, joining the Standard Liege youth setup and wasted no time in earning a place in the senior team following his solid defensive displays.
Yobo featured 46 times for Standard Liege before ending his stay with the side to team up with French club Marseille.
He spent three years with the Olympians, including loan spells at Tenerife and Everton before he permanently joined the Toffees following his convincing showings during his temporary stay.
Yobo enjoyed great success at Goodison Park, where he spent almost a decade, featuring in more than 190 games for the Premier League club.
Yobo last featured for Turkish side Fenerbahce and helped them to win the Super Lig and Cup titles before ending his playing career, which brought him accolades, fame and honour.
The centre-defender also enjoyed success on the international scene and has been praised by Fifa, Caf and NFF for his contribution to the Super Eagles.
Happy birthday to former @NGSuperEagles captain, now assistant coach, @jyobo234. Have a good one legend! ???? pic.twitter.com/DCpEvyFLEV
— The NFF ?? (@thenff) September 6, 2020
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Happy 40th birthday to Joseph Yobo ?@jyobo234 | @NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/5IUEMn1Upn
— CAF (@CAF_Online) September 6, 2020
? Once a Super Eagle, always a Super Eagle ?
?? @jyobo234 represented the @NGSuperEagles in three #WorldCup tournaments, captained them to @CAF_Online AFCON glory, won a joint-record 101 caps & is now their assistant coach. Happy 40th birthday to a Nigerian legend ? pic.twitter.com/0SUFhNKQao
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 6, 2020