Former Premier League Defender Thierry Henry Called His Toughest Opponent Now Has a Completely Different Life
Thierry Henry once revealed that former Nigerian defender Taribo West was the toughest opponent he faced during his remarkable football career.
Henry described West as a defender who would stay close to his opponents everywhere, saying he could even follow them into the dressing room.
Football fans from the 1990s will remember West for his aggressive defending and his famous green hairstyles, which became one of his trademarks while representing Nigeria.
The former Super Eagles star enjoyed spells with major European clubs, including Inter Milan and AC Milan, and also spent time in the Premier League with Derby County during the 2001/02 season. He later returned to England with Plymouth Argyle in 2005 before eventually retiring from football.
West earned 42 caps for Nigeria between 1994 and 2005. During his career, he also won an Olympic gold medal with Nigeria in 1996 and the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan in 1998.
However, life after football took him in a completely different direction.
Now 52, West has become a pastor. He reportedly founded a church in Lagos in 2014 after saying that a spiritual experience convinced him that his purpose had shifted from football to religion.
West has previously spoken about what he described as a personal encounter with God that led him toward becoming a pastor. He also said that prophecies he received about his future eventually came true.
Although his playing days are long behind him, Taribo West has built a new life away from football, leaving behind memories of his time as one of Nigeria’s most recognisable defenders.
