Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has hailed Victor Osimhen for achieving a milestone no Nigerian footballer had previously reached, praising the striker for finishing eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Obi One Podcast, Mikel described Osimhen’s achievement as a remarkable moment for Nigerian football, admitting that despite being one of the country’s most decorated players, he never reached such a position in the prestigious global award.
Mikel said Osimhen had set a new benchmark for Nigerian footballers by breaking into the world’s top 10 players.
“That is absolutely, absolutely amazing. I must say congratulations. The season you had was fantastic. I never got to that stage, and this is a different stage. You’ve raised the level. You’ve raised the bar so high,” Mikel said.
Reflecting on the Ballon d’Or rankings, Mikel noted that Osimhen was ranked alongside football superstars such as Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
He added, “How do you feel coming number eight in the world? Me, Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu never got to that stage. You got to that stage. Congratulations.”
Mikel also jokingly reminded Osimhen that while the Napoli striker had surpassed him in Ballon d’Or recognition, he would still need to “break my record first” before matching his achievements as one of Nigeria’s most successful and decorated footballers.
Responding, Osimhen paid glowing tribute to Mikel, describing the former Chelsea midfielder as one of his biggest inspirations and a role model for countless young footballers across Nigeria.
“The man sitting next to you has been a big inspiration for me and aspiring football players,” Osimhen said.
“He’s been a household name. I have to give him his flowers. He’s been an amazing legend for us, an amazing example on and off the pitch. I’m not just saying this because I’m here with him. I used to say this to every aspiring footballer.”
Osimhen’s eighth-place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings remains the highest ever achieved by a Nigerian player, cementing his place among the elite footballers in the world and marking another historic milestone in his career.
