London’s Ike Obiji has won the trip of a lifetime to watch football stars Lionel Messi and Neymar strut their stuff after he captained his side to victory in a national 5-a-side competition.

The Wood Green star led from the front as his Evolution side beat Leeds-based Spartons 7-5 in a thrilling Gillette ProShield Cup final at Wembley Powerleague.

To celebrate the launch of the new Gillette Fusion ProShield, Gillette teamed up with Powerleague to find the best 5-a-side team in the country.

And 34-year-old Obiji’s team rose to the challenge as they won themselves a trip to watch five-time Champions League winners Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

“I am over the moon. We got there in the end after a good final. I am delighted to get the win, even if it was not our best performance in games like that it is all about the result,” he said. 

“Now we can’t wait to get to Barcelona, so it was a great day and a great tournament and we celebrated well.

“Having my kids there and winning with my friends is amazing. There is no better feeling I think. Now it is onwards and upwards to the next one.”

729 teams entered the tournament but only two could reach Wembley, with both winning regional qualifiers to get there.

Both teams earned themselves a Gillette goody bag, along with a trip to the Sky Sports studios and tickets to watch hit show Soccer AM.

And Obiji, who used to play for Boreham Wood and Hendon, described it as the biggest win of his career so far.

“I would say it is the most important for me personally because it is the second one of the year, so it means a lot,” he added.

“Also, I had my two sons there to watch so it was a very proud moment when the whistle went because I am a very proud family man.

“A lot of the guys are Barcelona fans so for us all it is the pinnacle. We have won a couple of tournaments but this caps off a brilliant year and the chance to go and watch Barca at the Nou Camp is special.

“We have been together for 15 years and started out as friends, although we have a few new players coming in who have done well.

“It has been difficult to gel because we are getting older and some of us have kids and families and we have big commitments.”

And Gillette Brand Manager Matt Thomas admits he was impressed by what he saw from Evolution on the day itself.

"Congratulations to North London’s Evolution who are the winners of the 2016 Gillette ProShield Cup and have proved themselves the best 5-a-side team in the country," said Thomas.

"The team displayed unrivalled preparation and precision on the field and on behalf of Gillette, we’d like to wish them a great trip to Barcelona as they enjoy their well-deserved prize.”