International sports

‘You stole it from me’ – Mikel Obi on what he told Messi after losing U-20 World Cup

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:


 

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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