Retired Nigerian midfielder Mikel John Obi says he is not a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo who he described as having a lot of ego.
The Portuguese superstar recently had his contract terminated by Manchester United after he made scathing remarks about key figures within the club and former players in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
The interview drew reaction from fans, pundits and former footballers, some supporting his actions while others disagreed. Mikel is one of those ex-players and rather prefers Argentine maestro Lionel Messi.
“I’ve never been a Ronaldo fan really,” Mikel told Dubai Eye.
“For me, when a player has so much ego, I don’t really get it. He’s never been one of my favourite players and that’s why I always go for Messi really.”
Mikel described Ronaldo’s action as a “horrible scenario” , claiming it was a wrong thing to do for a player his calibre.
“I mean, if someone comes out and gives such an interview, what makes you think, if he signs for your club in January, he won’t do the same?,” Mikel continued.
“So, I mean, every club is going to be aware of that….but listen, he is Cristiano Ronaldo; he’s one of the greatest players ever to have played the game. I think he’s going to get another club in January and continue his football career.
“But for me, it’s just a horrible scenario, he’s done so much for the club, and to see it end this way, it’s just horrible. On his part really, I would say that interview shouldn’t have been done, wrong timing as well.
“It’s just not right. It doesn’t look right for such a player that has achieved so much in the game.”
Mikel announced his retirement from football in September after 18 years, playing for seven different clubs in five different countries.
He could have been teammates with Ronaldo when he joined United initially in 2005. The move was however aborted and he joined Chelsea where he spent 11 years, playing 372 times. He won nine titles at Stamford Bridge including two Premier Leagues, Champions League and one Europa League.
Mikel earned 91 caps for the Nigeria national team, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013. He also won the bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
