Argentina and Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been winning individual honors for over two decades now, a testament to the left-footed player’s ability and longevity. And, former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was one of the first players to lose out on an award to Messi.
John Obi Mikel Had Once Claimed He Was Better Than Lionel Messi
Earlier in 2005, Messi had guided Argentina to a 2-1 win over Nigeria in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup final in Utrecht, Netherlands. The Inter Miami star, who had scored two penalties in the summit clash, was subsequently awarded the Golden Ball ahead of Nigeria’s Mikel.
Giving his opinion on the tournament, Mikel had commented on his “The Obi One Podcast” in 2024:
“When we lost against Argentina in the U-20 World Cup, Messi won the Golden Ball, and I won the Silver Ball. At the end of the coronation, I told him, ‘You stole the Golden Ball from me. I deserved it, I was better than you.’ Messi smiled and said to me, ‘I have nothing to do with the matter, the committee is the one who chooses’.”
Mikel, who netted six goals in 372 total outings for Chelsea between July 2006 and January 2017, had added, “We went out and I found him again near the locker room. Messi said to me, ‘Take the Golden Ball and give me the Silver Ball if you want’. I answered: ‘I can’t, you deserve it. I was just angry, thank you’.”
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The two-time Premier League and one-time UEFA Champions League champion added, “We met again at the 2018 World Cup. He said to me, ‘Hi, Golden Boy. I still have the photo of us together at the coronation.’ I smiled and said, ‘During that period until now, you have convinced me that you really deserved it. You are the best in the world, Leo’.”
Messi’s Inter Miami Aiming To Sign Argentina Midfielder
According to El Correo de Andalucia, Inter Miami is aiming to sign Real Betis ace Giovani Lo Celso in the winter transfer window. They have been informed that Lo Celso could be sold for a transfer sum of around $6 million next month.
Lo Celso, whose Real Betis contract expires in June 2028, is reportedly being considered for sale due to his current club’s urgent need to reduce their inflated wage bill.
The former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has recorded two goals and as many assists in 20 total games for Real Betis in the ongoing 2025-26 season.
