<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> and Cristiano Ronaldo‘s dominance over the last two decades has defined modern soccer, sparking endless debates over who holds the title of the greatest of all time. Weighing in on the rivalry, Nigeria legend <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/jay-jay-okocha/">Jay-Jay Okocha</a> sided with the Argentine icon, citing one fundamental distinction between the two superstars.



Born in Enugu, Okocha featured prominently in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/nigeria/">Nigeria</a>‘s greatest football triumphs, including the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations title and the 1996 Olympic gold medal, while carving out an unforgettable career in Europe. Highlighted by his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain and his surprise free-agent move to Bolton Wanderers, the Nigerian built a lasting legacy as one of the most gifted dribblers in soccer history.



Speaking with John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy on The Obi One Podcast on YouTube, Okocha was asked by the former Chelsea midfielder to settle the debate between the two legends, and he offered an emphatic response: “Messi, Messi. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Ronaldo</a> is a special player, but he is for me a goal scorer. He can score 10 million goals. He is a goal scorer. It’s like (Erling) Haaland. Haaland is a goal scorer.“



The Nigerian icon expanded on his view by highlighting the underlying artistic quality that sways the balance toward the Argentine. “But Messi, Messi is on another planet. Messi is an art. Messi was born to play football. He’ll get ill if he doesn’t play football. He’s a genius. I mean, you have to give it to him,” he said.



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Okocha also praised the remarkable consistency achieved by both icons throughout their careers, noting that while Cristiano Ronaldo’s success stems from relentless work ethic because “he’s not the most gifted player,” Messi operates on pure instinct. “But when it comes to natural gifted player, someone that is born to play football, someone that plays with ease, that doens’t force anything, like it’s his playground, is Messi,” the legend added.


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<h2>One ‘maverick’ placed just above Okocha</h2>



In an era defined by classic playmakers like Rui Costa, Juan Roman Riquelme, Dennis Bergkamp, and Paul Scholes, Jay-Jay Okocha stood out as an exceptionally skilled midfielder who dismantled defenders with body feints, step-overs, and sudden bursts of acceleration. His flair and creativity earned him lasting status as an icon of individual artistry, a level of reverence few players ever achieve.



When asked whether any fellow maverick possessed superior skill to his own, Okocha passed over a distinguished list of names including Gheorghe Hagi, Guti, Roberto Baggio, Nwankwo Kanu, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Zinedine Zidane. However, he singled out one former teammate above everyone else.



Okocha acknowledged that Brazilian legend Ronaldinho stands as the lone player superior to him in raw dribbling ability and ball mastery. “Maybe because I had the privilege to play with him, to really see his talent and appreciate it,” Okocha stated.

Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha chooses Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo for one special reason

Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha chooses Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo for one special reason - World Soccer Talk

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<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/news/johan-elmander-gets-his/image/9573650?term=johan+elmander" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9573650/johan-elmander-gets-his/johan-elmander-gets-his.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=9573650" border="0" alt="johan elmander gets his second and bolton&apos;s third FA Barclays Premiership. West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers. 21.08.10 Photo By Karl Winter Fotosports International Photo via Newscom" width="500" height="287"></figure></div></a></div>
When Bolton paid a club record fee of £8.2 million for the Swedish striker Johan Elmander, a few eyebrows were raised. Yet, the former Toulouse striker had been one of the most consistent players in the French league during his time for the Téfécé and had built a reputation as a creative deep lying centre forward. Unfortunately, joining a side whose manager lacked any creative spark seemed an unusual step for the likable Swede.
It was as unusual for a manager as lacking in creative idea’s as Gary Megson decision to sign him. To put it mildly, Elmander had a nightmare first 18 months at Bolton, playing in a defensively minded side and struggling to cope with being used as a main striker, rather than his usual deeper role. His play suffered, his reputation fell and a nightmare 9 month barren spell seemed to be a millstone he couldn’t shift.

The sacking of Megson was not only a god send for the Bolton faithful, but for the striker as well. Owen Coyle brought a breath of fresh air to the Reebok stadium that removed all the negativity that had built up under the previous two regimes. Despite the continual negative press that Bolton continue to garner, Coyle’s appointment has been one of continual improvement and changing perceptions.
It’s always easy to label sides such as Bolton Wanderers as purely physical, but Coyle is trying his upmost to change the footballing opinion of the side. Any side that had players such as jay Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff cannot seriously be considered a long ball side. To counter this though the lack of credit for players such as Jussi Jaaskelainen and Kevin Davies showed their achievements were never considered seriously.
Coyle’s appointment has seen Elmander return to his previous quality that he showed prior to joining Bolton. It’s not just a flash in a pan either, he’s been playing consistently well since Coyle took over in January this year. The manager clearly identified Elmander as key to creating a new Bolton Wanderers and the club is beginning to reap the dividends of the change. As an avid watcher of French football, I was always impressed with the strikers ability, skill and quality.
It was a real surprise to see him struggle so much and of course, some players for one reason or another, simply cannot cope with playing in a different league or a new country. Yet Elmander had adapted to playing in Norway, the Netherlands and France so much easier, it was strange to see him look so uncomfortable. Coyle clearly identified the problems and addressed them immediately, allowing Elmander to release the stresses that had clearly held him back.
This season has seen him already equal his league goal tally from last season with 3 to his name so far and Bolton bloodied Manchester United’s nose on Sunday. This is a side clearly on the up, playing attractive, positive football and finally seeing the best of Johan Elmander. It should be a good season for the Bolton faithful and one that will see them bloody a few more noses of more illustrious opponents. Elmander has the skills to unsettle the best defenders and I hope we seem him continue to get the goals his approach play this year clearly deserves.

The Rebirth Of Johan Elmander

The Rebirth Of Johan Elmander - World Soccer Talk

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Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha chooses Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo for one special reason

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The Rebirth Of Johan Elmander