Better than Kanu? Greater than Okocha? Is Mikel John Obi the greatest Nigerian player ever?

Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi had announced his retirement from international football after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

This brings his journey full circle at the very tournament where his senior intercontinental career truly began.

At 32, Mikel played only a limited role in Nigeria’s AFCON campaign in Egypt, largely due to injuries. Still, the Super Eagles reached the quarterfinals, showcasing their resilience even without their influential skipper at full strength.

Regardless of how far Nigeria went — whether they lifted the trophy or fell to South Africa — Mikel’s legacy as one of the greatest to wear the green and white was already cemented.

But the question that lingered then, and still sparks debate today, is: where does the Jos-born midfielder truly rank among Nigeria’s all-time greats? Was he greater than the mercurial Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha? Did he eclipse the legendary Nwankwo Kanu?

Kanu Nwankwo or Mikel Obi?

Who had a more successful football career? pic.twitter.com/9sVeA2o9bJ

— @ (@OneJoblessBoy) September 10, 2023

Mikel’s international career may have ended in 2019, but his place in Nigerian football history remains a topic worthy of discussion.

Is John Obi Mikel the best Nigerian player ever?

He definitely had a solid claim to that tag. John Mikel Obi was arguably the biggest football ambassador of a nation of over 200 million people throughout the past decade, and he captained the Super Eagles for a significant portion of that period.

During his time, in addition to winning numerous trophies with English giants Chelsea, he also led Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013 — earning a place in the Team of the Tournament.

That iconic triumph elevated him into a special class of Nigerian greats like Christian Chukwu and the late Stephen Keshi, who achieved similar feats in 1980 and 1994 respectively.

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How do you become great?

To be considered a Nigerian great, a player must have performed on par with — if not surpassed — legends like Segun Odegbami, Christian Chukwu, Rashidi Yekini, Joseph Yobo, and Austin Okocha. And to be regarded as the greatest, one must have gone beyond the remarkable legacy of the finest of them all: Nwankwo Kanu.

Regardless of what critics may say, John Mikel Obi firmly etched his name among Nigeria’s football elites. A trophy cabinet that boasted a UEFA Champions League title, an Olympic bronze medal, three FA Cups, and two Premier League crowns was no ordinary collection. Only a truly legendary footballer could have achieved that.

The greatest

One needed, however, much more than that — as unimaginable as it sounded — to surpass Papilo’s extraordinary trophy haul.

The lanky former Arsenal forward, beyond his two Premier League titles, was also a member of the iconic ‘Invincibles’ team that completed an entire league season unbeaten.

Kanu won the U-17 World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and an Olympic gold medal — all before turning 20. He fulfilled the promise he showed as a teenager and carved out a place for himself among the greatest players in African football history, even without lifting the Africa Cup of Nations.

To be mentioned in the same breath as Kanu, Mikel Obi would have needed to win at least two African Footballer of the Year awards before hanging up his boots.

Still, it was important to be clear about Mikel’s place in the Super (or Green) Eagles’ Hall of Fame. In terms of appearances, Joseph Yobo led the pack. In flair and skill, Jay-Jay Okocha remained unmatched. When it came to silverware, Kanu had the upper hand. For inspirational leadership, Stephen Keshi stood tall. And for goals, no one came close to Rashidi Yekini.

Mikel gave everything to Nigeria, and for that, he earned the nation’s eternal gratitude. But to place him above those whose sacrifices laid the foundation for his own success would have been both unjust and unfair.

And truly, even Mr John Mikel Obi would not have wanted that.