Hull City midfielder Jean Michael Seri said his role in Ivory Coast’s Africa Cup of Nations success has even caught the imagination of his young family.
The 32-year-old returned from the Ivorians’ success on home soil, the first host nation triumph since Egypt in 2006, to fanfare from teammates.
Fans have celebrated on his native country’s streets, but the reception back at home has been equally special.
“I have children aged 10, eight and five,” he told BBC Look North.
“Even my daughter who’s five knows about it. She said: ‘Daddy, you’re a champion!’ It was a memorable moment.
“It was just amazing, exceptional. I couldn’t believe it. After the final, I saw the trophy and I realised it was staying at home. I shed a tear. Brilliant. Only football can give you these kinds of emotions.”
Seri, who won promotion to the top flight with Fulham in 2021-22, making 33 league appearances, has now set his heart on adding promotion to the Premier League with Hull to his roll of honour.
The Tigers currently occupy sixth place in the Championship, thanks to an impressive away win over Southampton on Seri’s midweek return to the squad from Afcon duty.
“It’s going to become the best year in my career,” Seri added. “I believe this year is going to be special, in the right way.
“We can do it. In terms of in my career there were some good moments but this one is going to be the best one ever, since I started playing.
“I was champion with Fulham, but the way we’ll get promoted here will be different.”
