Messi ‘stole’ Golden Ball from me in 2005 – Mikel

Super Eagles captain John Mikel obi says Argentina’s Lionel Messi ‘stole the Golden Ball’ award off him at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.

The then Flying Eagles lost 2-1 in the final of the competition after Messi scored twice through penalty and was awarded the Most valuable player of the tanement.

Mikel will be seeking revenge when both nations meet again in a 2018 World Cup Group D clash at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, Russia, as a win would ensure Nigeria’s qualification for the round of 16.

Mikel, who is set to lead the Eagles despite picking an injury in the game against Iceland, recalled his experience with Messi 13 years ago.

In an interview with The Guardian, the midfielder said: “Yeah, Messi stole the Golden Ball off me.

“Before the game people said that I was going to win the Golden Ball for being the player of the tournament.

Read Also: Messi says he won’t retire until he wins World Cup

“But then Messi scored twice, both of them penalties, Argentina won 2-1 and I got the Silver Ball. Messi has kept on stealing awards from me!”

The Eagles will be meeting Argentina for a record fifth time at the group stage of the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, and they seek their first win from the rivalry.

In an international friendly between both sides in November last year, Nigeria came out on top with an impressive 4-2 victory. But Mikel pointed out that “a certain human being” did not play.

He continued: “Actually, is he even a human being? Messi is Messi. He decides games and the last time we met he scored two against us at the Brazil World Cup.

“Without him, they are definitely less of a team. We can’t put all our attention on Messi but he is the man that we need to stop. Do we have to put somebody to mark him? Maybe yes, maybe no because when you do that you are playing with less balance.”

Argentina drew their first game against Iceland before falling to a heavy defeat against Croatia in their second outing.

They are apparently in a lower psychological state than the Nigerian side who recently defeated Iceland 2-0 to revive their World Cup hopes.

The two teams will meet in St Petersburg on Tuesday by 7:00p.m (Nigerian time).

 

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