Abundantly skilled footballer and one time captain of the Super Eagles, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, has confessed that it was one difficult decision having to say good bye to football, a game that transported him from zero to hero.

Okocha who exited competitive football months back also admitted asking himself sometimes whether or not he's taken the right decision by hanging his boots.

The handsome father of two (Danielle and Jeddidah) who hails from Ogwashi Uku in Delta State obliged us over an hour,  at his Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island, Lagos office, in spite of his tight schedule. His exceedingly beautiful and adorable wife, Nkechi, also agreed to a photo shoot.
The super exclusive session dwelt on a whole lot of issues, with the erstwhile international soccer star parrying only a few of our questions...

What would you say you have started missing already about quitting football?

I would say the dressing room.  Football is like a big family. I have too many brothers in the game.  People you can count on.  Now, I have to do everything on my own.

When did you realize that it was time to quit?

I think it was when I stopped playing for the national team then I realized that, at least, phase one had gone.  Then, when I moved to Quatar, I didn't really enjoy my season there.  So, I decided to go back and have another shot at the English league, and I was really finding it difficult to get a decent job.  I have to be honest about that.

Was making up your mind to quit a difficult decision to take?

It was a very difficult decision.  Even up till now, I'm still thinking whether I made the right decision or not.  I've a very strong character.  I'm very, very competitive.  A part of my heart is still in football.  It's what I did throughout my life.  And it is what I love to do.

What did you enjoy most as a footballer?

I would say that at the end of the day, it is the opportunity that football gave me.  Football gave me a foundation to build on.  Fine, I used to think it was just a game, but later, it became my profession. I enjoyed every bit of it.  There is nothing better than doing what you love to do; then getting paid doing it.  Though now, there is so much pressure and so many things involved.  Football is not just a game anymore. I try to forget the whole pressure and hype and enjoy life again.

Which of your games would you describe as your best?

It is difficult for me to pick one and say that was my best game because what I was trying to do was to be very consistent and play every game as though it was going to be my last.  That got me going, I think I don't want to sound arrogant, but I can't pick any.

Which of your goals would you describe as the most memorable?

I think the goal I scored when I was in Frankfurt, because it became the goal of the century.  And people still remind me of the goal.

How about in the national team?

In the national team, I think it was during my debut at home.  We were one goal down against Algeria, you could imagine you scoring with a free kick.  It was special for me.

Was there any target you set for yourself to achieve that you were not able to achieve before quitting?

Like I said, I am very competitive and very difficult to please.  I'm disappointed that I didn't win the African Footballer of the Year; but at the end of the day, I don't have to regret it because you cannot have everything you wished.  Happiness is meant for everybody.  It's not meant for one person.  You just have to remember the good days and good things you achieved and move on and forget the ones you didn't get.

As a footballer, you were scandal-free.  How were you able to do it?

It is all about understanding your profession and knowing what you want and realizing that what you are doing, is not only for yourself, you are doing it to open doors for the people who are coming behind.  I rather prefer a club or a manager to tell me I'm not good enough than they getting rid of me for indiscipline.  So, for me, it was vital to be disciplined.

In your profession, oftentimes, footballers get entangled with women and at no time did one hear any story like that concerning your person.  How were you able to avoid such incidents?

For me, my career was more important than women, and when I thought it was time for me to get serious with girls, I got married.  And that helped me.

What would you describe as the nicest thing the press ever wrote about you?

Waoh, I had them all, negative and positive things.  They said I was difficult to replace in the national team.  It gave me joy.  It showed that I did something the press appreciated.

What would you describe as the worst thing you read about yourself while still playing active soccer?

I think it was, maybe, when we lost the semi final, Nations Cup in Mali and they wrote that the national team had been disbanded.  I thought that I didn't deserve that after playing for the national team for about nine years.  They even suggested that everybody should reapply, including me.

For a very long time, you played professionally, how were you able to do it?

Like I said, it's all about discipline. I think, for me, I was eating, drinking, sleeping football.  If I wanted to drink water or run, I had to think if it was the right time, if it will affect me. I was particular about my fitness.

What would you say is the commonest mistake that most footballers make?
I think most of them are carried away with the fame that comes with it.  You know football is a very short career.
Other than discipline, what else would you attribute your successful career to?

Without any doubt, I will say that God gave me a talent.  Without talent, it would be difficult for you to make it.  So, first of all, I believe God gave me a special talent; then I realized it was left for me to build on it.