Messi’s former rival explains why comparisons with Cristiano can’t be made, revealing: ‘The game plan is to kick him’

Although both men are in the twilight years of their careers, there is little doubt about Lionel Messi and cristiano ronaldo Still valid.The person who commented on this matter this time is John Obi Mikel, a former Nigerian footballer, has been invited to appear on a podcast with former players including Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand. It was there that he took the opportunity to clarify why, in his opinion, the Argentinian is the best of all time.

The 36-year-old former midfielder spent 11 years at Chelsea and has faced great players over the past 20 years, but none have been better. flea: “Oh my God. There’s only one whole week of training that revolves around Messi. We have to have two or three players with him. You can’t defend Messi one on one.is impossible“, he recalled the crossing Champions League Whereas barcelona.

London met Guardiola’s Catalonia twice in the semi-finals. Champions League. The first was in 2009, when the issue was resolved in Spain’s favour, thanks to Andres Iniesta’s goal at Stamford Bridge; the other was in 2012, when England After a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou with Messi absent, Spain qualified. Goal. Penalty kick.

Regarding those border crossings, which Obi Mikel He recalled: “The way they played, the way they moved the ball, the only goal was to get it to him. And all he did was watch the game. I know we all talked about the way he walked, but it was Just trying to find space. Once the ball comes to him, everyone runs, everyone moves. “It’s so difficult, the way he touches the ball, the way he passes the ball, you know. “

He doesn’t hesitate when it comes to comparisons with him: “For me, I won’t say kilometers because Cristiano has done his job. But I don’t really see the comparison because I just think Messi is from another planet. “I just think he’s that good.” He even took the opportunity to talk about their coping strategies when they faced each other.

“When we play (Manchester United) and Cristiano is there, we know Ash (Ashley Cole) will look after him. Ash will deal with it. He has the ability to deal with it,” insists “We said to Cristiano, ‘Ash, take care of him.’ That’s it,” he said. But everything changes when Leo has to be stopped: “The game plan was to kick him. Kick it. We couldn’t take the ball away from him.. You couldn’t get close enough to him to take the ball away from him. You think you’re there and he’s gone and you can watch every game when we play him. We beat him. Me, Frankie (Lampard), we all attack him. “That’s the only way to stop it.”

Apart from, Mikel He had to face Argentina at the 2014 Brazil and 2018 Russia World Cups, with Nigeria losing to Albiceleste in both group stages, while they also lost in the 2005 Under-20 World Cup final in the Netherlands. For this reason, the footballer is convinced that La Pulga is the “GOAT” (the greatest player of all time) and cannot be compared with Cristiano Ronaldo.