John Mikel Obi, the legendary player for the Chelsea and Super Eagles, has boasted that he is “still the most successful and decorated football player in Nigeria.”
He claimed that in spite of all of his accomplishments, he had never been placed eighth in the world by the Ballon d’Or, unlike Victor Osimhen, a young Nigerian athlete.
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In an interview with Osimhen for the most recent episode of his podcast, The Obi One, Mikel claimed that the Napoli striker had set a new standard for Nigerian football players.
“I am still the most accomplished and successful football player in Nigeria,” he declared. However, Victor Osimhen received an award that I was never given. Ballon d’Or ranked him eighth in the world. That is simply incredible. I have to congratulate you. It was an amazing season you had, and I never reached that point. You’ve set a really high standard.
In response, Osimhen said that Mikel “is more than a legend” to a lot of football players in Nigeria and that the former captain of the Super Eagles motivated him and other players both on and off the pitch.
The Napoli striker commented, “I just kept on doing my job, doing what I love so much and God just crowned my efforts,” after winning the Ballon d’Or.