Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has made a bold claim about his time in the Premier League, saying he believed he was better than legendary Middlesbrough teammates Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka during his spell at the club.
Speaking in a recent interview, Yakubu reflected on his years at Middlesbrough, insisting that his self-belief was what kept him performing at a top level. “When I was there with Viduka and Hasselbaink, I believed I was better. You have to believe in yourself — that’s what football is about,” he said.
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The former Portsmouth and Everton forward revealed that the intense competition for starting spots pushed him to work harder. “Those guys were big names, but I knew if I got my chance, I had to take it. That mindset helped me score goals consistently,” he added.
Yakubu, affectionately called “The Yak”, enjoyed a prolific spell in England, scoring over 90 Premier League goals — making him one of Africa’s top scorers in the competition’s history.
He also admitted that while he had great respect for his teammates, his inner drive was what set him apart. “I respected them, but I always told myself I was just as good, if not better. You can’t survive in England without confidence,” he said with a smile.
Yakubu retired from football in 2017 but remains one of Nigeria’s most successful exports to the Premier League.
