Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel addresses Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate with candid tales from his playing days

John Obi Mikel appears to have settled the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi debate once and for all.

Messi recently won the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time.

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But in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Messi and Ronaldo were two of the most dominant players in the world football.

However, Mikel revealed when playing against them that there was “no comparison” between the two.

Speaking to Rio Ferdinand Showcase Five, the former Chelsea star revealed how the Blues have changed their tactics to deal with the pair.

He said: “When we played Manchester United and Cristiano was there we knew Ash (Ashley Cole) was going to deal with him. He has the quality to deal with him.”

“But every time we play against Barcelona, ​​oh my God, the whole week of training is about Messi.

“We have to have two or three players with him and you can’t guard him one-on-one. It’s impossible. You’re already dead.

“The way they played, the way they moved the ball, the only purpose was to get it to him, and all he did was watch the game.

“I know we all talk about how he moves around, but it’s just about finding space.

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“Once the ball gets to him, everybody’s running and moving, and it’s very difficult.”

He continued: “The way he touches the ball, the way he passes the ball.

“I know the comparison exists but because I played against both of them and Messi was very close to me when we played against them.

“But for me, I’m not going to say miles because of what Cristiano did, but for me, I really can’t see the comparison.

“I just thought Messi was from another planet. I just thought he was that good. The game plan was just to kick him because we couldn’t take the ball away from him and we couldn’t get close enough.”

“If you think he’s there, he’s gone. You can watch the game when we play. JT (John Terry) is tackling, Frankie (Frank Lampard) is tackling, I’m Tackles, everybody’s making tackles.”

“That’s the only way we can stop him.”

Mikel recently opened up about his father being kidnapped for the second time before the biggest game of his life.

The 36-year-old also revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson tried to “brainwash” him after his surprise move to Manchester United.