“Better than Messi and Ronaldo” – Former Liverpool star lauds ‘skillful’ Okocha

Okocha is noted for being an excellent free-kick taker in addition to his dribbling abilities

Austin Jay Jay Okocha, the legendary captain of the Super Eagles, has received praise from former Liverpool striker John Barnes, who also named Brazilian Ronaldinho as one of the world's most skilled players.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the subject of opposes about who is the greatest player of all time for more than a decade, but the former Newcastle star has dissed both players by dubbing the Nigerian and Ronaldinho as his G.O.A.T.

The 59-year-old claims that Okocha performs on the pitch, which other players only find themselves accomplishing on the playing pitch or during practice sessions naturally.

The former Bolton Wanderers player, who mesmerised the audience with his talent and elegance during his time there, was a major deal for his teammates and club.

Geoff Shreeves previously praised the Super Eagles icon as one of the best African players he has seen play in the English Premier League.

When remarking on Okocha, Barnes backed up his countryman's assertion by naming Okocha as one of the two most skilled players in football history, while ignoring Messi and Ronaldo.

“When you talk about two of the most naturally gifted skilful players, not talking about playing in a team as he can, but when you talk about individuals. the most skillful player, they are two, Ronaldinho and JJ Okocha, which is naturally the most skillful players because the things he does, on a football pitch you do on the playing ground, or in training, and you are not supposed to do in matches, he does it better than Messi, Ronaldo, and everyone in terms of pure skill.” he said in a programme via SuperSportTv.

The Super Eagles star, who played for teams like Bolton Wanderers, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Paris Saint-Germain, among others, was Africa's first and greatest football entertainer.