Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has stirred up debate by declaring Real Madrid the biggest club in the world, despite his strong ties to Chelsea, Soccernet.ng reports.
During a visit to Spain with his podcast crew, the Nigerian icon and former Chelsea midfielder expressed his views on the prestigious status of Real Madrid.
Chelsea, one of the most successful clubs in England, has an impressive record. They are the only club to have won all three major European competitions twice and the only London club to have won both the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
Chelsea have lifted six league titles, eight FA Cups, five League Cups, while Internationally, the London giants have twice won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup once.
Despite Chelsea's achievements, Mikel boldly stated on his podcast that Real Madrid is “the biggest club in the world.”
He further elaborated, “We are in Madrid, Spain, the home of Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world. I think so.”
When co-host Chris McHardy asked him to compare with Chelsea, Mikel argued, “Tell me who else is the biggest? They've won way more than Chelsea.”
Mikel, who spent over a decade at Chelsea and was part of their 2012 Champions League-winning squad, emphasized Real Madrid's superiority, particularly in the Champions League, where they recently claimed a record 15th title.
Reflecting on Real Madrid's achievements, Mikel remarked, “If you're someone who is honest and truthful, they are the biggest team in the world.”
Mikel's perspective highlights the enduring prestige of Real Madrid, recognised even by players with strong affiliations to other elite clubs.
Real Madrid are one of the most widely supported clubs globally, with an estimated worth of $6.6 billion in 2024, making it the world's most valuable football club.
The Spanish giants became the first football club to make €1 billion ($1.1bn) in revenue.
Domestically, they have won a record 36 La Liga titles and 20 Copa del Rey among numerous others. Internationally, Real Madrid hold a record 33 trophies, including 15 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles and eight FIFA Club World Championships.
