Former Nigerian national team player John Obi Mikel shared a memory involving Lionel Messi.
According to Idman.Biz, Mikel recalled the award ceremony of the U-20 World Cup, where Messi received the Golden Ball and Mikel was awarded the Silver Ball.
At the time, Mikel was not satisfied with the result, saying, “I think I deserved this award more.”
He remembers Messi’s response clearly: “This wasn’t my decision. The committee decided this. But you did an amazing job for your country,” young Messi told him.
Later, the players met again in the locker room, and Messi seriously offered, “If you want, we can swap the awards.”
However, the Nigerian star declined the gesture: “I told him that he fully deserved this award. I was just disappointed. I appreciate his kindness.”
