Former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has lifted the lid on one of the funniest dressing-room stories from his time at the King Power Stadium, revealing how Super Eagles stars Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho relied on what teammates jokingly called “juju cream” whenever they picked up injuries.
The story has quickly become a talking point among football fans, offering a glimpse into the close bond shared by the trio during Leicester City’s memorable years. While the nickname sparked laughter, the explanation behind it reflects the influence of Nigerian culture and traditional remedies even at the highest level of European football.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Vardy recalled that Ndidi and Iheanacho always insisted on using a special cream brought from Nigeria whenever they suffered minor knocks or muscle discomfort.
According to the former England striker, the club’s massage therapists were instructed to use only the cream on the affected areas, with the Nigerian duo refusing alternative treatment oils or balms provided by Leicester City’s medical staff.
Vardy jokingly explained that the players often travelled back to Nigeria to replenish their supply, leaving teammates amused by what they believed was a mysterious remedy.
The Leicester legend described it as a “big tub of juju cream,” adding another entertaining chapter to the many stories that emerged from one of the Premier League’s closest dressing rooms.
Although Vardy’s comments generated plenty of laughter online, Wilfred Ndidi later cleared up the mystery.
The Super Eagles captain explained that the so-called “juju cream” was nothing more than traditional Nigerian shea butter, popularly known as Ori in many parts of the country.
Shea butter has been used across Nigeria for generations as a natural skin moisturiser and is also commonly applied to sore muscles and minor body aches. Many athletes continue to trust it as part of their personal recovery routine, even while benefiting from modern sports medicine.
Rather than being anything supernatural, the cream represented a cultural tradition that Ndidi and Iheanacho carried with them throughout their careers.
Ndidi, Iheanacho and Vardy formed one of Leicester City’s strongest friendships during their years together.
The trio played important roles in some of the club’s biggest achievements, including the historic FA Cup triumph in 2021. Their chemistry was evident both on and off the pitch, with numerous moments of laughter and camaraderie becoming part of Leicester folklore.
Although all three players have since moved on to different clubs, the mutual respect between them remains obvious. Stories like this continue to highlight the positive atmosphere that existed inside the Leicester dressing room during one of the club’s most successful periods.
Football dressing rooms are filled with players from different countries, each bringing unique traditions, beliefs and routines.
For Nigerian footballers, traditional remedies remain part of everyday life, even while competing at the highest professional level. The use of shea butter is a familiar practice in many Nigerian homes, making it unsurprising that Ndidi and Iheanacho continued using a product they trusted throughout their careers.
Vardy’s humorous recollection may have started as a joke, but it also serves as a reminder that football is enriched by the diverse cultures and traditions players bring into the game.
stories like these go beyond transfer rumours and match reports. They reveal the personalities behind the players and the friendships that make football one of the world’s most captivating sports.
