Nigerian rapper, Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, popularly known as Zlatan Ibile, has opened up about his early aspirations, revealing that his dream career was to become a professional football player, with hopes of playing for La Liga giants, Barcelona.
The 29-year-old disclosed that he harbored ambitions of pursuing a football career after facing academic challenges during his secondary school years.
Zlatan admitted to struggling with subjects like Mathematics and Accounting, leading to a disappointing outcome in his WAEC exams.
Reflecting on his past, Zlatan shared his passion for football and his desire to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
However, he recounted facing setbacks and disillusionment due to what he described as corruption within the Nigerian football system.
Despite his initial football aspirations, Zlatan’s journey took an unexpected turn when he stumbled into music.
Recounting the pivotal moment, he mentioned a friend who played one of his recorded songs, sparking his interest in pursuing music further.
“I was not a bright student in secondary school. I struggled with Mathematics and Accounting. I was in a Commercial class. I failed my WAEC and I was supposed to sit at home for a year. All my dream was to play for Barcelona,“ he said this during an interview with Echo Room.
“I tried my possible best but the corruption in Nigerian football discouraged me. I was playing for a local club then. When I failed WAEC, I was going to sit down at home for a year, and then one of my friends came and played his record for me. I told him to take me to the studio the next time he was going. That was how I became a musician. I never had the intention of being a musical.”
