Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel told Lionel Messi he ‘stole’ award from him after losing in World Cup final

Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all time, and few would ever begrudge him winning an individual award.

The Argentine icon is the most decorated player in football history with 45 collective trophies and 52 individual accolades, but he almost missed out on one prize to former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel.

3

In 2005, an 18-year-old Messi was just starting out in his illustrious career when he came up against Mikel’s Nigeria in the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

As has often been the case, the match was settled by the Inter Miami star, who scored twice from the penalty spot to guide Argentina to a 2-1 win and secure them the ultimate prize in youth football.

Messi finished as the competition’s top goalscorer with six goals and received the Golden Ball award as the best player – ahead of Mikel, who picked up the Silver Ball.

And the former Nigeria captain has since revealed that he was furious with the Barcelona legend for beating him to the award.

Speaking recently on his Obi One Podcast, he recalled: “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 then shared that Messi was prepared to swap awards with him after witnessing his anger at missing out on the top prize.

He remarked: “We went out and I found him again near the locker room. He 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.'”

3

3

And it appears the humorous interaction remained fresh in Messi’s memory when the pair reunited on the international stage thirteen years later at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Mikel, who won two Premier League titles with the Blues, continued: “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.’”

And Messi’s achievements since the pair’s last encounter will surely have done nothing to convince Mikel otherwise, with his victory at the 2022 World Cup and a second Copa America title this summer cementing his status among football’s very greatest.

With a further three more titles up for grabs with Inter Miami this season, the legendary figure will no doubt fancy his chances of adding to his already staggering career trophy haul.