Super Eagles legend John Mikel Obi has found a good niche for himself where he shares his thoughts on several issues emanating from football.
The former Eagles and Chelsea star is growing in leaps and bounds with his Obi One Podcast show, where he has been airing his views on several past and current events.
In his program episodes, he has had sessions with former Chelsea teammates Frank Lampard and John Terry.
He has also interviewed current Super Eagles hitman Victor Osimhen in his last podcast, where the Champions League winner with Chelsea made a strong statement.
🚨 HERE WE GO ‼️
Episode 3 is out NOW!
📺🎧 Our exclusive interview with @victorosimhen9 🩵🇳🇬🦅
Watch/listen here: https://t.co/nODfx3mRI2
🙏🏻 Please do subscribe and rate. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/CDg1Q98F56
— The Obi One Podcast (@obionepodcast) November 13, 2023
The AFCON winner with Nigeria alleged robbery in the 2013 CAF Player of the Year award which he thought was deservedly his but rather given to Yaya Toure.
“I thought I was winning it because I had an amazing year. We were winning everything at Chelsea and I was playing most of the games and I won the African Cup of Nations,” Mikel said.
“It was my trophy to win. I won the African Cup of Nations. I won the Champions League the year before and the Europa League in 2013 and Yaya won nothing.”
Nonetheless, while the Jos-born retired footballer has counted his losses at the 2013 CAF awards, he is regarded as one of the most decorated Super Eagles ever.
The 36-year-old indeed bragged to Osimhen that he's the most successful and decorated player in Nigeria.
Despite all his achievements though, he was never ranked number 8th in the world by the Ballon d’Or like the Napoli forward.
“I am still the most successful and decorated football player in Nigeria. But he [Victor Osimhen] got an award that I never got,” Mikel Obi said.
“He was ranked number 8 in the world by Ballon d’Or. That’s absolutely amazing. I must say congratulations. The season you had, it was fantastic and I never got to that stage. You’ve raised the bar so high.”
Mikel Obi's next guest: Who is he?
As has been announced in his ‘The Obi One Podcast' handle on X, the next episode of the show will see former Nigerian star Nwankwo Kanu making his debut.
This news has greeted many Nigerians with a feeling of excitement and the anticipation is building towards the debate between Obi and Kanu, what they've achieved for both club and country and who takes the title of the most decorated star.
Mikel Obi vs Nwankwo Kanu: Who is Nigeria’s most decorated player?
The next podcast will pit Mikel Obi versus Kanu to determine who the most decorated player is among them.
The issue of the most adorned footballer out of Nigeria has been met with disagreement by football fans who don't seem to have a common ground. While some say it's ‘Mikel Obi', others choose ‘Nwankwo Kanu'.
However, the Obi One Podcast will reveal who they think is the most decorated player among both legends of Nigerian football.
A couple of brilliant episodes on the way 🔥
Episodes 4 & 5: ✅🤐
Another instalment of Taking the Mikel in the can too, where we pit @mikel_john_obi versus Nwankwo Kanu
Who is Nigeria’s most decorated player? 🏆👀
Coming soon! ⏳ pic.twitter.com/0SXZXQOXne
— The Obi One Podcast (@obionepodcast) November 16, 2023
Comparing Mikel Obi vs Nwankwo Kanu trophies and individual awards
Mikel Obi trophies and awards
Chelsea
- Premier League: 2009/10, 2014/15
- FA Cup: 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2011/12
- Football League Cup: 2006/07, 2014/15
- FA Community Shield: 2009
- UEFA Champions League: 2011/12
- UEFA Europa League: 2012/13
Nigeria
- Africa Cup of Nations: 2013; third place: 2006, 2010, 2019
- Nigeria Summer Olympics bronze medalist, 2016
Individual
- FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Ball: 2005
- CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year: 2005
- Chelsea Young Player of the Year: 2007, 2008
- CAF Team of the Year: 2005, 2013
- Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2013
- African Footballer of the Year runner-up: 2013
Nwankwo Kanu achievements
Iwuanyanwu Nationale
- Nigerian Premier League: 1992/93
Ajax
- Eredivisie: 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96
- UEFA Champions League: 1994/95; runner-up: 1995/96
- UEFA Super Cup: 1995
- Intercontinental Cup: 1995
Inter Milan
- UEFA Cup: 1997/98
Arsenal
- Premier League: 2001/02, 2003/04
- FA Cup: 2001/02, 2002/03; runner-up: 2000/01
- FA Charity Shield: 1999
- UEFA Cup runner-up: 1999/2000
Portsmouth
- FA Cup: 2007/08
Nigeria U17
- FIFA U-17 World Championship: 1993
Nigeria U23
- Summer Olympics winner: 1996
Nigeria
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1995
- African Cup of Nations runner-up: 2000
- African Cup of Nations Bronze: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
Individual
- Ajax Talent of the Year (Marco van Basten Award): 1994/95
- African Footballer of the Year: 1996, 1999
- BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1997, 1999
- FA Cup Final Man of the Match: 2008
- IFFHS All-time Africa Men's Dream Team: 2021
What could be the deciding factor
Despite a remarkable honours haul, including the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the Premier League, and an Olympic gold, Kanu never won the AFCON, which Mikel Obi did in 2013.
But it can be said that Kanu won the Olympic gold and CAF Player of the Year, which Obi failed to achieve.
When it's all said and done, the choice for this debate could go either way – where does your loyalty lie?
This article was most recently revised and updated 11 months ago
