Former Nigerian footballer Mikel Obi has shared a conversation he had with Lionel Messi after losing the U-20 World Cup in 2005. 

Obi mentioned that he performed excellently throughout the tournament and was hopeful of winning an individual award despite losing the final to Argentina.

After Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, Obi felt disappointed and approached him to question the accolade. 

The former Chelsea midfielder recounted accusing Messi of stealing the award, believing he deserved it more.

“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,’” Obi said in a tweet shared by influencer Vince on X.

The 2005 U-20 World Cup concluded with Argentina defeating Nigeria 2-1, with Messi scoring two penalties and playing a crucial role in the game. 

While Nigeria's attempt to win the title was thwarted, many Africans were proud of the team's achievement in reaching the finals.

Read the tweet below:

🎙️John Obi Mikel: “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… pic.twitter.com/0MxINt2TLR

— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 13, 2024