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Messi was the top scorer at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup with six goals.
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has playfully accused Lionel Messi of "stealing" the Golden Ball award from him at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The two football icons faced off in the final of the FIFA U-20 tournament, with Argentina defeating Nigeria with a 2-1 scoreline.
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17:53 - 10.08.2024
‘I had to make that decision’ - Mikel Obi reveals the club his family wanted him to join
John Obi Mikel, former Super Eagles captain, has disclosed the club his family wanted him to move to during the transfer tussle between Manchester United and Chelsea.
The 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup took place in the Netherlands from 10 June to 2 July 2005, with Lionel Messi's six goals sufficient to see him named the top scorer at the tournament.
However, Nigeria's Mikel was awarded the Silver Ball for his impressive performance in the competition.
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In a recent episode of the Nigerian midfielder's podcast tagged "The Obi One Podcast," Mikel recounted his conversation with Messi after the tournament.
"When we lost against Argentina in the U-20 World Cup, Messi won the Golden Ball and I won the Silver Ball," Mikel said.
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13:23 - 09.08.2024
‘I couldn’t wait to be a Chelsea player’ - Mikel Obi calls his time with the Blues ‘Amazing’
Mikel Obi, Super Eagles former captain has opened up on his time at Chelsea, calling it an amazing career.
"At the end of the coronation, I told him, 'You stole the Golden Ball from me. I deserved it, I was better than you."
He added that Messi, responded with a smile, saying, "I have nothing to do with the matter, the Committee is the one who chooses."
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07:23 - 09.08.2024
I promise you — Mikel Obi predicts big season for two Chelsea stars
Super Eagles legend John Mikel Obi has predicted a huge season for two Chelsea stars under new boss Enzo Maresca.
The two footballers would then go on to have such highly successful careers in the round leather game; Mikel won many laurels with FC Barcelona while Mikel also had a trophy-ladden spell with Chelsea.
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