Chelsea’s build-up to their FA Cup tie against Charlton Athletic took an unexpected cultural turn when a short training clip featuring teenage star Estêvão Willian went viral.
The Blues shared a 15-second video of the 18-year-old on their official X account showcasing close control and ball-juggling flair in the gym ahead of the cup clash, a moment that already had fans buzzing about his talent and readiness for the challenge against Charlton.
SoftFootball highlighted Willian as a rising talent, with Enzo Maresca noting his potential to become a top player for Chelsea. What truly captured attention, however, was not just Estêvão’s silky touch but the unmistakable sound playing in the background.
Nigerian fans were quick to recognise Wizkid’s 2014 classic Ojuelegba echoing through the training room. The song choice added a cultural layer that resonated far beyond football circles.
On X, Elvis Tunde summed up the mood with pride and approval. His intention was to applaud Chelsea for blending football excellence with cultural awareness, suggesting the club understands both the game and its diverse fanbase.
He wrote in full:
Wizkid’s Ojuelegba in the background, my club knows ball.
That sentiment sparked a wave of reactions from other fans who leaned into the Afrobeats connection. Idris framed Ojuelegba as more than just a song, positioning it as a symbol of African music’s global reach.
He stated:
When Wizkid said OJUELEGBA is National Anthem of Afrobeats, this is it.
For Aniel Joshua, the focus was playful speculation about the source of the playlist, joking that someone in the squad must be behind the vibe.
He added:
It’s the music from background for me.. I’m sure Malo Gusto, Lavia or Chalobah is the DJ Mandem FC.
Not every reaction was about music alone. Tîmhâzârd used the moment to pivot back to football, arguing that Estêvão’s talent would shine faster elsewhere.
He wrote:
Estevao would have already exploded & nailed his starting spot if he was to be playing at Barcelona where they don’t put protectors on players! Hire Maresca to fire him once again!!
Israel brought it back to personal pride, calling it a perfect blend of club and culture.
He wrote:
My favorite club playing my best musicain song
Watch the video below:
Mannie echoed that feeling, celebrating Ojuelegba as a track that carried Nigerian music to the world.
In his words:
Ojuelegba playing in the background
Naija to the world
In the end, the clip became more than pre-match content. It showed how Chelsea’s media presence can fuse football, youth talent, and global culture into a single moment that fans everywhere can claim as their own.
