Former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has shared a light-hearted story about his Nigerian teammates Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, who swore by a mysterious 'juju cream' for injury recovery during their time at the club. The cream, which Vardy jokingly described as coming from Nigerian 'witch doctors,' was later revealed to be shea butter, a traditional West African product widely used for massage and skin care.
Vardy's amusing anecdote
In a recent interview, Vardy recalled how Ndidi and Iheanacho would make quick trips back to Nigeria whenever they sustained minor injuries, returning with a large container of the cream. 'Just little knocks. Go back to Nigeria for like one day. Literally. Come back, got a nice big tub of juju cream,' Vardy said. He added that the players insisted Leicester's medical staff use nothing else on the affected area: 'That was the only thing that the masseuses were allowed to massage on the injured area.'
Claims of witch doctors
According to Vardy, the duo would jokingly tell everyone the cream came from Nigerian 'witch doctors.' 'They used to tell us it had come from the Nigerian witch doctors,' he said. Despite the playful story, Vardy admitted the treatment appeared to be effective: 'It actually helped, though. It actually really helped.' His comments sparked laughter among the interview hosts and quickly spread across social media, where many Nigerian fans found the story both hilarious and relatable.
The truth behind the cream
Although Vardy referred to it as 'juju cream,' the product was reportedly nothing mystical. The cream was actually shea butter, a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows across West Africa, including Nigeria. For generations, shea butter has been widely used to moisturise the skin and massage sore muscles. The clip has generated plenty of reactions online, especially among Nigerian football fans who were amused by Vardy's description of the cream. Many joked that Ndidi and Iheanacho had convinced their Leicester teammates they possessed a secret Nigerian remedy, while others pointed out that shea butter has long been valued for its soothing properties.
Friendship and team spirit
The story also reminded fans of the close friendship between Vardy, Ndidi and Iheanacho during their years together at Leicester City, where they helped the club compete consistently in the Premier League and domestic cup competitions. The anecdote highlights the cultural exchange and camaraderie that often characterises diverse football squads.
