Super Eagles legend, John Obi Mikel has bragged that he is “still the most successful and decorated football player in Nigeria”.
The former Chelsea star said despite all his achievements he never got got an opportunity to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or like Nigerian youngster, Victor Osimhen, who was ranked number 8 in the world.
Mikel who appeared as a guest on The Obi One podcast, alongside Osimhen, however, congratulated the Napoli striker, for raising the bar high for Nigerian footballers.
He said, “I am still the most successful and decorated football player in Nigeria. But he [Victor Osimhen] got an award that I never got. He was ranked number 8 in the world by Ballon d’Or. That’s absolutely amazing. I must say congratulations. The season you had, it was fantastic and I never got to that stage. You’ve raised the bar so high.”
Responding, Osimhen reckoned that Mikel “is more than a legend” to many of their compatriots, adding that the former Super Eagles captain inspired him and others on and off the pitch.
On his Ballon d’Or success, the Napoli striker said “I just kept on doing my job, doing what I love so much and God just crowned my efforts.”
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Meanwhile, in another news…
Pope Francis has named football icon, Pele as his favourite footballer. In a commemorative event for World War II soldiers, he was asked to choose between Messi and the late Maradona by TV station TG1.
The 86-year-old replied that Pele is his favourite, citing the late Brazilian’s humility as the reason behind his choice.
GOAL quotes Pope Francis, “I would add a third, Pele. They are the three I have followed. All three are great, each with his specialty. At the moment Messi is very good.”
He added, “Maradona as a man failed, poor thing, he slipped, the people around him didn’t help him. He came to see me the first year [I was pontiff]. [His life] ended badly. It’s funny, many sportsmen end badly, even in boxing. It’s curious.”
“Messi is very correct, he is a gentleman. Among these three, the greatest gentleman is Pele. He is a man with a very big heart. I spoke to him, I met him on a plane in Buenos Aires, and he is a man of great humanity.”
