Chelsea Hero Babayaro Names The Best Player In The World; Talks About Mikel's Return To Super Eagles

Chelsea legend Celestine Babayaro opted for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi ahead of Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo when he was asked to name the best player in the world at the moment.

Although the former Super Eagles left back considers Ronaldo as an excellent player, he believes the Portuguese is not on the same level as Messi.

''Different eras, different times. It is just like people still trying to compare Maradona, Pele, Messi,'' said Babayaro to Nigeria Info FM.

''At the moment, Messi is still the number one. Ronaldo is still up there. It just depends on who you feel that is the best. But football like I said is different eras.''

The Atlanta 1996 Olympics gold medalist has no problems with Obi Mikel's return to the national team as long as the midfielder is in good form.

Babayaro stated : ''John Obi Mikel has done well for the national team and the man is an experienced midfield player.

''If you look at what Gareth Southgate is doing with the English national team, the man blends young with old.

''He doesn't just move the old ones immediately, he likes to blend for example Raheem Sterling and Harry Maguire at the back.

''If the national team coach has looked at Mikel who plays at Middlesbrough, if he has watched him play and he's in-form, why not. If he's in-form and has played well, I cannot see any reason why he can't be invited.

''If you have been doing well and playing regularly, I am up for it. If you look at his CV, he has won the Champions League, FA Cup, all kinds of cups. He has done well for himself''.

Babayaro was a member of the Super Eagles team that lost to Cameroon in the final of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc