John Obi Mikel played in Nigeria’s World Cup defeat to Argentina despite having just been told his father was being held for ransom and would be shot “instantly” if he alerted the authorities.

Mikel revealed on Tuesday he had received a call four hours before kick off in his country’s final Group D game from kidnappers demanding 10 million Nigerian naira (£21,100) for the safe return of Pa Michael Obi.

Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel kept quiet about the news, which was only revealed almost a week later when Enugu State Police announced on Monday night that his father had been rescued earlier that day.

That followed what the force described as a “gun duel” with the kidnappers.

According to KweséESPN, Mikel’s father was then hospitalised having been tortured, with his son considering flying him abroad for further treatment.