Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has reacted to the death of former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder, Ray Wilkins.
Mikel said it’s a pleasure to have known Wilkins adding that the news of his death was a sad day for the football.
In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Mikel shared a photo of the deceased with the caption.
“RIP Ray Wilkins. A pleasure to have known you. A true gentleman. Today is a sad day for football.”
The Tianjin TEDA midfielder worked with Wilkins during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
Wilkins was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London last week after suffering a cardiac arrest and was placed in an induced coma.
He is survived by wife, Jackie, and two children, Ross and Jade.
Football enthusiasts and his former club, Chelsea, and Manchester United, also wrote tributes to the 61-year-old former football player and coach.
@ChelseaFC wrote,
“Everybody associated with Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of our former player, captain and assistant coach, Ray Wilkins. Rest in peace, Ray, you will be dreadfully missed.”
@ManUtd wrote,
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Manchester United are with the family, friends and colleagues of our former midfielder Ray Wilkins, following his tragic passing.”
See some tweets:
Carlo Ancelotti in 2010 on his ‘friend’ Ray Wilkins –
“Ray is one of those select few, always present, noble in spirit, a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins. His heart beats in two languages, & that helped me.
Without him, we couldn’t have won a thing” #RIPRayWilkins pic.twitter.com/Dy5NEGuTYG
— Simon Phillips (@SiPhillipsSport) April 4, 2018
RIP Ray Wilkins, 61.
England football legend & one of the nicest men in the game.
Very sad news. pic.twitter.com/cI9WwxHfUZ— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 4, 2018
Terrible news.. Rest in peace Ray Wilkins! pic.twitter.com/y5kOLmPk59
— َ (@HazardEdition) April 4, 2018
Deeply saddened to hear that Ray Wilkins has passed away. A wonderful footballer and a delightful man. It was a pleasure to have played alongside him with England. No teammate was more helpful and supportive. I’ll be forever grateful. Thoughts are with his family. #RIPRay
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 4, 2018
Carlo Ancelotti in 2010 on his ‘friend’ Ray Wilkins –
“Ray is one of those select few, always present, noble in spirit, a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins. His heart beats in two languages, & that helped me.
Without him, we couldn’t have won a thing” #RIPRayWilkins pic.twitter.com/Dy5NEGuTYG
— Simon Phillips (@SiPhillipsSport) April 4, 2018
Today is a very sad day, we have lost a fantastic person and a good friend. It was a pleasure to work with you, Ray. All of my best wishes go to Jackie, Jade and Ross. RIP pic.twitter.com/XL8aWZCq9Q
— Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) April 4, 2018
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Manchester United are with the family, friends and colleagues of our former midfielder Ray Wilkins, following his tragic passing. pic.twitter.com/38w2MW86eg
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 4, 2018
RIP Ray Wilkins. A pleasure to have known you. A true gentleman. Today is a sad day for football. pic.twitter.com/4Jqgzk41jN
— Mikel John Obi (@mikel_john_obi) April 4, 2018
Everybody associated with Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of our former player, captain and assistant coach, Ray Wilkins. Rest in peace, Ray, you will be dreadfully missed. pic.twitter.com/cSDhloOPDZ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 4, 2018
A time when all football fans come together. Rest in peace.
— Alfie (@UtdAlf) April 4, 2018
Rest in Peace Ray☹️ pic.twitter.com/pTe7pdnlVX
— Antonio Lubrano (@_Antoni0__) April 4, 2018
RIP Ray Wilkins. A great midfielder and England International who had a serious phobia for heading the ball.
There was a match the ball accidentally hit him on the head, he passed out.— Olakunle Osisanya (@KunleOsisanya) April 4, 2018
Sorry brother for your loss. At Chelsea he was top among first through his good relationship with players and that brought lots of glory to the club and joy to many home.#RIPRay
— Alexis Alexius (@alexisalexius91) April 4, 2018
Went to Wembley today and it looked beautiful Rip Wilkins pic.twitter.com/VCrKEL8vTa
— ¹⁹ emily (@alterlovemarlon) April 4, 2018
Very, very, sad news.
I always felt Utd let Butch go far too soon, he had plenty of good years after he left.#RIP— Gus Sette (@TheMightyGusset) April 4, 2018
Had the pleasure of meeting Ray Wilkins 38years ago when I was a United ball boy. I can honestly say that he was one of the most approachable players I ever met. A credit to his profession. RIP pic.twitter.com/voWwCUhGzB
— Peter Clarke (@Clarke6P) April 4, 2018
Oh my God….RIP…Ray…though I have never met you but it seems I have known you for a very long time. Your words about @ChelseaFC always give courage as a fan. My heart is with your family at this moment of sadness. Accept my condolences. Sleep on champ! #RIPRayWilkins
— Timmy Okybay (@OkeowoTimilehin) April 4, 2018
