After the U-20 World Cup, the Nigerian footballer recounted his interactions with Lionel Messi with great enthusiasm. He described Messi as humble and approachable despite his superstar status. They shared a few words about their experiences during the tournament, with Messi offering encouraging advice and praising the Nigerian team’s performance. The footballer emphasized how inspiring it was to meet one of the greatest players in the world and how the encounter motivated him to work even harder in his career.
🇳🇬🗣️ JOHN OBI MIKEL: “I will never forget what happened after the U-20 World Cup final against Argentina. Messi won the Golden Ball, and I won the Silver Ball, but I felt I deserved the Golden Ball. I approached him and said in Spanish, ‘You stole the Golden Ball from me. I was better.’
Messi, with his characteristic humility, smiled and replied, ‘It wasn’t my decision; it was the committee’s. But what you’ve done for your country is incredible.’ Later, when we crossed paths near the locker rooms, he offered to swap awards: ‘If you want, take my Golden Ball and give me the Silver.’ I laughed and said, ‘I can’t; you deserve it. I was just frustrated. Thank you for being so kind.’
Years later, we met again at the 2018 World Cup. Messi greeted me, ‘Hello, golden boy. I still have the photo from the awards ceremony.’ That’s when I told him, ‘Today I know you truly deserved that award. You are the best, Leo.”
