Lionel Messi is one of the biggest figures the sport of soccer has ever seen, and it seems every top player has a good story of two surrounding the Inter Miami star.
At 37-years-old, Messi has been at the top of his game for almost two decades, with the forward a record-breaking eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as this summer saw Messi win his 45th title via the Copa America.
With three more titles up for grabs with Inter Miami this season, Messi could well end his historic career with over 50 titles, a tally that is unlikely to be bested by any other player in the next few decades or so,
And former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has shared his story on how Messi beat the midfielder to one such title.
Mikel reveals beef with Messi at the U-20 FIFA World Cup
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the former Nigeria international revealed that he and Messi had a disagreement at the 2005 U-20 FIFA World Cup, where Mikel was left fuming with the Argentine winning the Golden Ball award over himself.
Mikel said on Messi beating him to the Golden Ball at the 2005 U-20 World Cup: “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’. 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’.
“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.'”
Messi’s greatness eventually gets through to everyone
Mikel’s story is nothing short of incredible as it shows that even the biggest rival or critic of Messi’s will always end up giving the Inter Miami star the respect he deserves.
At 37, Messi’s final years are upon us, with the attacker’s recent injury record suggesting that it might not be long before the forward hangs up his boots and leaves the beautiful game forever.
And with so few years remaining, Messi will want to make one last impact in the sport via America, with Inter Miami proving to be an incredible club for the forward since moving in 2023.