Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has backed former teammate John Obi Mikel's decision to mutually terminate his contract at Trabzonspor.
The ex-Nigeria captain has been vocal about his displeasure surrounding Turkish football continuing to play games - albeit behind closed doors - amid the coronavirus outbreak.
And on Tuesday night it was confirmed that he has made the ultimate sacrifice by leaving the club who currently sit top of the Turkish Super Lig table and with over a year left on his contract.
A statement via the club's official website reads:
"The professional football player agreement between our company and John Obi Mikel on 30.06.2019 start date 31.05.2021 has been mutually terminated.
"With a mutual termination agreement, the football player gave up all his forward-looking receivables."
Mikel then took to social media and explained his stance.
"There is more to life than football," he wrote on Instagram. "I do not feel comfortable and do not want to play football in this situation.
"Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. Season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times."
This has prompted a big reaction from fellow footballers, most notably Drogba who responded to his former teammate with a classy Instagram message.
"Words of wisdoms," he wrote.
Last week Mikel was forced to deny rumours that he was set for a return to Chelsea in a coaching capacity.
"To be honest, I have no idea where this story came from," Mikel told Sabah. "I was surprised when I saw the news because neither me nor my club had a meeting with Chelsea about becoming a coach.
"Chelsea is, of course, my home, but the reports aren’t true."
