John Mikel Obi, a former midfielder for the Super Eagles, has disclosed that following the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005, he accused Lionel Messi of “stealing” the Golden Ball from him.
In the competition final held in the Netherlands, Nigeria took on Argentina.
They prevailed 2-1 to win the trophy, and Messi, who was eighteen at the time, scored twice from the penalty spot.
With six goals, Messi emerged victorious and took home the Golden Ball, beating off Mikel Obi for the Silver Ball.
Mikel Obi recently discussed on his Obi One Podcast:“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.’”
