“Okocha Dribbled Better Than Messi” – Football Fan Sparks Huge Debate On Twitter

The Nigerian icon is widely regarded as one of the most gifted African footballers ever, but some are convinced he was even better at manipulating the ball between his feet than arguably the greatest player in history

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi is often compared with goalscoring king and eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, fellow Argentine wizard Diego Maradona, and Brazilian football hero Pele. 

But the Camp Nou god may be facing an unlikely opponent in the debate corner for a long time to come in Nigeria’s iconic master of the dribble, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha.

It’s nearing two decades since Okocha retired from football but not before leaving his mark as one of the best dribblers of the game.

During a career spanning over 15 years, the former midfielder rolled the ball with ease past defenders in Germany, Turkey, France, and England.

And Okocha’s wonder-goal against legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn after dribbling half a dozen defenders, some twice, in the earlier nineties remains one of his enduring legacies.

A successful international career also sees him help Nigeria win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament and the football gold at the Atlanta Olympic Games two years later, among several other honours.

But Messi has been almost incomparable from the moment he was old enough to kick a football.

Averaging several dribbles a game, scoring fantastic goals, being the MVP of major tournaments, and winning trophies for Barcelona have become a norm for the Argentine maestro so much that he is considered the best ever.

A Nigerian football enthusiast and a Chelsea fan, however, believes that Okocha is a better dribbler than Messi, sparking a big debate on Twitter.

Here are some of the reactions cupped from the micro-blogging social media site. 

Messi has only featured for Barcelona all his life, but he may end that association with the Spanish side this summer with PSG and Manchester City a possible destination.

Okocha counts Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, PSG, and Bolton Wanderers among the clubs he played for when he was active.