The greatest player John Obi Mikel, a former midfielder for Chelsea, has ever faced in his professional football career is Lionel Messi, the former captain of Barcelona.

In multiple UEFA Champions League games, Mikel Obi faced off against Messi, both as a member of the national squad against Argentina and when Chelsea faced Barcelona.

When asked to choose the greatest player he has faced in a game, the former Nigerian international mentioned Messi, remarking that the captain of Inter Miami was from another planet.

“Messi was the guy for me,” Mikel Obi declared. Messi dominated training all week, with the goal being to simply kick him.

Read Also: EPL: Mikel Obi discloses how Chelsea players influenced Roman Abramovich to dismiss coaches

We need to have two or three players accompany him. You are dead and you cannot defend yourself against Messi in a one-on-one match.

“I know we all talk about how he walks around, but it’s just to find the space, and once that ball gets to him, the movement, everybody is running, moving. And the way he played, the way they move the ball around, the sole purpose of getting the ball to him and all he is doing is watching the game.”

“The way he passes and touches the ball is extremely difficult. I am aware that there is a comparison between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Messi and I were really close during our games together, so he is only for me. I won’t say miles because of what Cristiano has accomplished as well, but I just don’t see the similarities because I believe Messi is a different animal. He is that talented.