“Agba ti de” — a Yoruba phrase which translates to “the elder has arrived.” 

It’s an acknowledgement of one’s coming of age, as well as the journey it took for them to earn a new level of respect.

But Ola Aina’s story isn’t about age. It’s about presence. About stepping into a room — or onto a pitch — and knowing the weight you carry, even if nobody else does yet. 

He moves with such confidence, you can be forgiven for thinking he has returned, rather than arrived.

Put simply, Aina is one of the most intriguing characters in the game right now. On the one hand, he’s a playful entertainer at heart — giving us gem after gem on his Snapchat stories and backing out Ribena boxes in his post-match interviews.

But on the other hand, it doesn’t take long to discover his uncompromising self-belief encompasses everything he does. From the conviction in his punchlines to how unequivocal he is when it comes to helping others. 

“You must not know who I am, bro!” was the reply when I jokingly asked him if he was nervous before our chat.

At just 28 years old, he effortlessly balances the unshakeable focus it takes to be an elite athlete, while also leaving himself room to enjoy the heights he’s soared to in recent years.

The elder might have arrived, but he's still as playful as ever.

VERSUS sat down with Aina to chop it up about his investment in sustainable boot manufacturer Sokito, growing up in a Yoruba household, why it's still Snapchat over everything, and what’s next once football stops.

We have to address the elephant in the room — Snapchat. What is it with you and that app?

Yeah, Snapchat is my thing, my baby. From when it landed. I think I had it in 2013. Back then it was a bit meedy — not like it is now. You could only post pictures. Maybe I’m showing my age a little bit. 

But it was just so accessible. You can see everything very quickly. If you need to catch a moment — just hold the button and boom, it uploads. That’s what I like most. It’s fun and different for me.

Brotherhood is a big theme in your career — especially at Forest with Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, and with Nigeria too. What does brotherhood in football mean to you?

It means a lot. If you can’t bond with your teammates off the pitch, it’ll be ten times harder on it. Imagine you’re beefing your striker. If you don’t vibe off the pitch, you’re not going to try to feed him. You won’t want him to score! You spend most of your time with these people, so bonding is number one for me.

Your hair is iconic. What does your hair mean to you?

It’s just me, you know? From young, everyone knew me to have an afro. There’s no real routine — I wake up, if it’s dry, I wet it, add a little product, brush it. That’s it. 

My strength comes from my hair. Like Samson in the Bible. When Delilah cut his hair, he was weak. I hear it.

Thinking about your career now — if you were to name this current chapter, what would it be called?

I’d name it: “I’ve been here.”

Because my whole career, people have said “he’s all right BUT…” there’s always been a “but”. I still get that now!

But coming to Nottingham Forest and getting that trust and love for the past two seasons has shown — not just the public but myself — what I’ve always known I’m capable of. And there’s a whole lot more in store.

Your interests and activities are outside the usual pro footballer handbook. Have you thought about life after football?

I have. People tell me all the time, “Bro, you’re the next Micah Richards.”

I love what Micah is doing, but I don’t know if I can do punditry. If you put Ola Aina on CBS or BBC, they might have to start bleeping things. Shit would just come out — I’d get sacked quickly!

But maybe in the future, as I get older, I might calm down. Right now, I’m just going to dabble in hobbies more, and take it somewhere. I know I can.

We at VERSUS love it when players express themselves, but we also know it’s not the easiest thing for ballers to do. Why do you think some players prefer to hold back?

I think some players are just different. Some just won’t show it because they’re not comfortable. Others might be willing but scared of potential backlash.

But I want to big up Iwobi with this — I’m so happy he’s started letting go and embracing his light. In my eyes, he’s always been outgoing, but a few years ago he put himself on the backburners a little bit. It’s good to see him open up again. 

Going back to your question, I think it’s mainly fear of backlash. Some people can’t cope with that. Me? I make a joke out of it. Maybe I’ll even cuss them. I do like a little getback every now and then! 

But if people want to laugh at me — cool. I’ll laugh with you. But I’m just me. 

I like doing a little too much sometimes — I’m not really bothered.

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Ola Aina wears...

Look 1: Dries van Noten, Azura Archive

Look 2: Azura Archive, C.P. Company

Look 3: Eytys, Seventh

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Photography: Carina Lammers

Art Direction: Morgan Allan

Editor-in-Chief: Amie Cripps

Stylist: Roma Mitchell

Interview: Ahmed Shooble

Videographer: Tyler Larbi

‍VERSUS: Who is Ola Aina - in your own words?

Ola Aina: I think someone who’s very open-minded, free-spirited, likes to have fun. I'm not going to take anything — and I mean anything — in this world too seriously, you know? I just like to have good vibes, positive connections, and just live life to the fullest.

A lot of people would describe you as the realest baller out right now. Why do you like showcasing yourself in such an authentic way? We don’t really see that from most ballers.

The easiest way to put it is — I wouldn't say I’m trying to showcase myself. I'm just doing it because it’s who I am. I don’t sit at home and think, “I'm going to put this out today." It’s organic. It’s in the moment, off the cuff. 

Your career’s booming right now. But I want to ask about your spell abroad in Torino. How did that shape you? What were the lessons you took away from it?

Going out to Italy — at first I was scared, man. But once I got out there, it was an experience that I cherished. I knew how to live on my own, but living on my own abroad was a whole different thing.

Then on the pitch stuff, there was a different style of play, different ways they coached me. I really honed my defending. Italy’s known for its defensive tactics. So yeah, I learned a lot there — football-wise and personally.

A lot of the Cobham boys have gone to Italy and seen their stock fly. What do you think it is about the culture and the country that brings the best out of them?

First and foremost, Serie A is a top league, so that’s an easy decision. But the Italians have just got a different way of living, really clean and simple. 

Before I went to Italy, I drank water. But now I drink water religiously — to the point where it doesn’t feel right not to. And anyone who knows me knows I’m a massive foodie. The food out there was amazing.

You've invested in Sokito. What was it about the company that convinced you to get involved?

Getting involved first was because of my country captain — William Troost-Ekong. He was just telling me about this new boot that’s going to take over. It was helping the environment, it looks and feels good as well.

I was intrigued at first. I had a look at it, and I thought, “Yeah, that’s something I have to get involved in.”

Then he told me a bit more about it, the backstory, the owner Jake Hardy is from Nottingham — so I’m like, “Right!” It’s not like your ordinary boot company. There’s a purpose behind it — it’s vegan, it helps the environment. It’s already had backing from loads of players.

Why do you think it's important for players to make these kinds of moves outside the usual stuff?

I can’t speak for other players, but I can speak for myself. It was an easy decision for me to make. If it’s about trying to help the environment, you at least have to listen.

You hear all these crazy theories about burning too much petrol and the world exploding. I’m not trying to explode, you understand? 

But jokes aside, if it’s for a good cause, I’m there. That’s not just for boots — that’s anything. I’ll be front and center to help where I can and put my little share into the world.

A massive part of your identity is your Nigerian heritage. You rep Naija proud and strong. What’s your experience been like as a first-generation representing your roots?

It feels amazing, man. I love it. I remember when I was growing up, it felt like all Africans wanted to be Caribbean. But nowadays, it feels like everyone wants to be some sort of African. But me, I’ve always loved being Nigerian, so I was ahead of the curve. We’ve got the steez.

You’ve got a strong Yoruba name. I’d try and pronounce it but I’d end up butchering it.

Nah, go on. Try it!

Temitayo…

Yeah…

Olufisayo… 

You got it…

Olaoluwa…?

Ah, you were close! But that’s what I go by — that’s where the ‘Ola’ comes from.

So what was it like growing up in a Yoruba household?

It was good. Strict, like most African or Caribbean households. You can’t just be getting away with things.

But it shaped me into the man I am today. I’d like to think I’m polite, respectful. That’s something my parents instilled in me early — saying please and thank you, just being nice and sharing my light with others. Even though they say good guys finish last — just be a good person and you’ll be blessed.

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