Wilfred Ndidi dismisses ‘juju cream’ rumours, says it was shea butter

Wilfred Ndidi dismisses ‘juju cream’ rumours, says it was shea butter

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has dismissed viral claims that he and fellow Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho relied on a mysterious “juju cream” from a “Nigerian witch doctor” to recover from injuries during their time at Leicester City, clarifying that the ointment was nothing more than locally sourced shea butter.

The clarification follows comments made by former Leicester City captain Jamie Vardy, who recently recalled that whenever Ndidi or Iheanacho sustained injuries, they would travel to Nigeria and return with what he jokingly described as “a nice big tub of juju cream.”

According to Vardy, the Nigerian duo instructed the club’s physiotherapist and massage staff to apply only the ointment to the injured area during treatment. He added that whenever teammates asked where the cream came from, Ndidi and Iheanacho would jokingly reply that it had been obtained from a “Nigerian witch doctor.”

The remarks quickly went viral across social media, sparking mixed reactions from football fans. While many interpreted the comments as dressing-room humour, others questioned whether the players had relied on traditional or mystical remedies during their recovery.

The discussion gathered further momentum after former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe tagged both Ndidi and Iheanacho on Instagram, asking them to explain the type of cream Vardy had been referring to.

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Responding to Anichebe, Ndidi dismissed the speculation and clarified that the ointment was simply shea butter sourced from Nigeria, stressing that it had no connection with magic, rituals or any form of traditional spiritual practice.

His explanation effectively put an end to the rumours surrounding the viral story, with many supporters describing the controversy as a misunderstanding of light-hearted dressing-room banter.

Shea butter, extracted from the nut of the African shea tree, is widely used across Nigeria and many other African countries as a natural skincare product. It is valued for its moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties and is commonly applied to soothe dry skin, minor bruises and muscle discomfort.

Although shea butter is not recognised as a medical treatment for sports injuries, athletes around the world often use natural oils, balms and massage creams alongside physiotherapy and rehabilitation programmes to aid recovery and relieve muscle soreness.

Ndidi, Iheanacho and Vardy shared the dressing room at Leicester City between 2017 and 2024, enjoying one of the club’s most successful periods in modern history.

During their time together, the Foxes won the 2021 FA Cup, defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley to secure the club’s first-ever FA Cup title. They also lifted the 2021 FA Community Shield after overcoming Manchester City.

The trio became known not only for their performances on the pitch but also for their close friendship and humorous interactions off it, frequently entertaining supporters through behind-the-scenes videos and dressing-room moments.

Ndidi’s clarification has since been welcomed by many football fans, who described the incident as an example of how casual jokes can be taken out of context and amplified on social media.

The episode has also sparked broader conversations about cultural stereotypes in football, with some supporters urging greater sensitivity when discussing traditional African products that are widely used for skincare and wellness rather than supernatural purposes.

With his explanation, Ndidi has firmly dispelled the speculation, confirming that the much-talked-about ointment was simply shea butter and not the “juju cream” portrayed in the viral story.

Wilfred Ndidi dismisses ‘juju cream’ rumours, says it was shea butter