Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has waded into the greatest of all-time arguments between fans of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The former Chelsea star faced both players during his playing days and insists one is ‘miles’ ahead of the other.
Messi and Ronaldo shared 13 Ballon d’Ors, with the Argentine winning his eighth early this month in Paris.
For Mikel Obi, it was harder tackling Messi than Ronaldo, claiming the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is from another planet.
“I know the comparisons is there. I have played against both, and Messi was close to me when we played against them. I am not going to say miles because of what Cristiano Ronaldo has done. I really don’t see the comparison. I think Messi is from a different planet,” he told FIVE UK podcast.
“He is that good. The game plan was always to kick him,” he added.
Messi led Argentina to their third FIFA World Cup triumph after scoring twice in the final against France in Qatar, as reported by CNN.
Both players have left Europe with Ronaldo tearing the Saudi Pro League apart while Messi signed for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer during the summer transfer window.
Mikel Obi opens up on struggles of African footballers
Earlier, it reported that Former Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi explained the financial struggles of African players abroad despite earning huge wages.
The ex-Super Eagles captain has blamed heavy family burdens on footballers as the main source of their struggles.
Mikel Obi spent over a decade at Chelsea and remains one of the most successful African players in the English Premier League.
Mikel Obi opens up on Man United snub
Sports Brief also reported that Former Nigerian international Mikel Obi opened up on transfer saga between English clubs Manchester United and Chelsea.
Shortly before the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup, Mikel was said to have had an agreement with the Old Trafford side, but somehow, he ended up joining the Stamford Bridge outfit.
The playmaker helped Nigeria finish as runners-up at the tournament after losing to South American powerhouse Argentina in the final.