A teenage John Obi Mikel was SPECIAL!

[@ademolajayeola9846]

Arguably the best team Nigeria ever produced in under-20 level. Samson Siasia will for ever be remembered for putting together this team.

[@thecharteredmc]

Nigeria's most technical coach. With these same crop, in case people thought this was a fluke, he went to the Olympics 3 years later and won silver losing to same Argentina. Now note that his best players at this level Mikel and Taiwo were not released by their clubs. Messi, Dị Maria, Macherano were in the Argentine team.

[@jjiwuji1721]

Mikel played like Zidane. I wish he wasn't converted to a defensive midfielder. Too much talent.

[@JosephAkinrele]

This is a complete Nigeria game. The guy,Adefemi,is the man who work hard on Messi. He know how to stop him. Unfortunately,he died in a motor accident on his way to National call up.

[@petruspetrusgodspower9556]

No it was Onyekachi Apams that knew how to curb Messi

[@jobinhovic]

What a baller. I cried on this day. July 2, 2005. It was my birthday.

[@XQRobertz]

I remember this tournament vividly in 2005: the most memorable players I can still recall at a drop of a hat without goggling it are: Messi of Argentina Mikel Obi & Taiwo of Nigeria Emmanuelson with dreds & Babel of Netherlands/HOL

[@thecharteredmc]

This is Nigerian brand of football. I would rather we lose matches pkaying this way than win playing like Peseiro

[@olusegun.b.olofin5278]

Mikel Obi was outstanding that we all thought would continue in rhs siper eagles intil jose Mourinho turned jim to a defensive midfielder.

[@sportsgeek4335]

This guy was really good.Omo I don't just know what to say

[@OFCnmezi]

He played so much like Kanu.

[@fodaydarboe6723]

I remembered watching this game and seeing Nigeria conceding a penalty and Taiwo complaining to the referee bitterly was so hurting.

[@dadajulius6489]

I had a feeling that Nigeria was robbed on that day. Nigeria's defenders in particular were bigger in size than the Argentina forward players so any tackle in the 18 yard box was always going to go in favour of Argentina. Seems like the Coach for Argentina knew this and instructed his players to fall to the ground at any slight touch. Argentina has been known for simulation (deception) over the years. Unfortunately, a lot of Referees have fallen for such tricks many times in the past. It's a good thing that VAR is now available even though it's not perfect. Many times in the past there won't be any contact yet a foul will be given and if it's in the 18 yard box, a penalty. A lot of players were good at falling down back then while pretending to be badly hit.

[@1982757]

They were definitely robbed. How can you award two penalties in a final?

[@sparkleeugene8253]

How to rig football 101 refree was on side of Argentina

[@michaelfalas8331]

Yeah we were robber. that day was the first and the last time i cry over football. watching the highlight you will see how mikel was foul in the box 2x by 2 different play at the same time but fail to go down cos he knew if he go down they will not blow a penalty for him. and dat was just one of many foul penalty they committed against us and choose not to go down. but the Argentina are free to go down to receive two penalty in a final. what a shame of football

[@raymondagholor2745]

Oh, Mikel was special. I wish Fergie or Wenger got hold of him instead of Chelsea. Yes, he went on to win multiple trophies with Chelsea, but he was never the same player again. Mourinho tried to turn him into a Makelele. In modern day football, Mikel's role as a 6 would have been beautiful to watch!

[@beccaexp7410]

Really really good performance

[@mayowaunruly24]

Very humble as well ❤

[@michaelfalas8331]

Mikel humble??? NO his not. I meet him many times he is a pompous and very rude guy. but i love his footballing skills

[@agunsoyeadebayosunday4672]

The only offense Mourinho committed against Africa

[@samueliroka5081]

YOU beat me to this comment. VERY TRUE.

[@samueliroka5081]

YOU beat me to this comment. VERY TRUE.

[@joe90jacob57]

Walaitalai

[@luckyokeme3427]

Bless U 🙏

[@fradiavolo9293]

Bullshit!🤦🏿‍♂️

[@EtaFelix-gg6jg]

Old age chai Mikel was agba baller

[@eruedojajohn8620]

Ooh Mikel what a talent too bad he didn't develop it further and rest in peace ✌️ Isaac promise

[@brightokechukwu4886]

We need to bring Siasia back and give him all the time and tools he will need to build HIS OWN TEAM. The man might have his faults, but his eye for spotting exciting talents remains undeniable. Siasia teams always played very exciting brands of football.

[@Kabashfx]

Extra ordinary

[@kunlrjaiye7294]

Mourinho collected his brain and replaced it with power

[@kunlrjaiye7294]

Mourinho replaced his brain with power He was using his brain like inniesta and Xavi before Mourinho collected it and replaced it with power

[@israelchetachi683]

5:25 Did Mikel really do that to Messi?

[@emalexcomics4486]

Seriously, I could not believe until i watched it 5 good times to satisfy my happiness

[@kennethokeke3389]

Trust me, Messi knows Mikel. Mikel was pure fire in that tournament

[@JOSSYSYSTEM]

Management is what is killing us in Africa... This mikel them was supposed to be like zidane today

[@emalexcomics4486]

@@JOSSYSYSTEM your right

[@emalexcomics4486]

@@kennethokeke3389 mikel was truly a legend

[@555-y9g]

Mourinho and his team finished Mikel that was supposed to be a Balloon d or winner, I do not understand the reason some of these Oyinbos coaches do not respect young African talents. Mikel was a natural playmaker but was converted into a defender, I am not sure that he was able to achieve more than 40% of his potential playing as a defender. The least he would have done was to loan him out if he felt he had better players instead of subjecting him to such a humiliation and torture. I can't imagine the crises in his mind during those periods. They also use the media to subject him to various psychological torture during the prolong tussle between Man United and Chelsea over him.

[@LewisMuturi-b7u]

It was done on purpose

[@michaelfalas8331]

IS A LIE MIKEL PLAY HOLDING MID FOR US IN THIS GAME

[@emmanuelodushola4432]

It was morinno that killed his career. Those of you that like Morinno

[@rotimiobatunwase8525]

Mikel was not just good enough. Nobody killed his career

[@emmanuelodushola4432]

@@rotimiobatunwase8525 you said he was not good enough but he emerged a better player than Messi in this tournament. How come? How can you convert a forward midfielder to a defensive midfielder?

[@rotimiobatunwase8525]

@@emmanuelodushola4432 at a point in time, yaya toure played as a CB and DM even xavi hernandex also played as DM at point in his career too. Let stop making excuses for Mikel abeg. He's just is decent player, no thing special about him. And pls there is no time in Mikel career that he's better than Messi

[@emmanuelodushola4432]

@@rotimiobatunwase8525 who was a better a player in this game and bearing mind in mind that was their first debut? See yourself and judge

[@rotimiobatunwase8525]

@@emmanuelodushola4432 Messi won both the golden ball and the golden boot of the tournament,what are you saying brother?

[@RuthFatade]

Mikel was really on course to become a better version of Okocha until a certain Portuguese coach called him, dont ask me who

[@michaelfalas8331]

DAT IS NOT TRUE

[@dayooa7825]

That kick on Mikel, a penalty if he had gone down.

[@positiveforce470]

This is nr 10. Iwobi doesn't understand the role

[@michaelfalas8331]

But no doubt Mikel was superb, controlling the midfield and playing box to box with full energy. Anyway we were robber in the game. That day was the first and the last time i cry over football. watching the highlight you will see how Mikel was foul in the box 2x by 2 different play at the same time but fail to go down cos he knew if he go down they will not blow a penalty for him. and dat was just one of many foul penalty they committed against us and choose not to go down. but the Argentina are free to go down to receive two penalty in a final. what a shame of football

[@samgini2414]

That was Nigeria Zinedine Zidane, altered by maurinho, if only mikel had stayed with united under fergie, the world would have seen the best of his talent,

[@ayodelealedare6507]

Tell me one African player that became World Class under Ferguson. Even till date! Look at what Man Utd turn Onana to. Onana who played with Inter at a UCL finals o. Africa players thrive more in Arsenal and Chelsea.

[@michaelstrong722]

Mourinho porto 2004 and Mikel 2005 made to join Chelsea

[@mosesobasola7634]

Mikel na baller, Jackson should learn

[@michaelfalas8331]

Mikel actually play dip as the second holding fielder in all those game. which give him ability to find a long passes or dribble follow then give a tru pass. HE DID NOT PLAY IN A 10 POSITION TROUGHOUT THE TOURNAMENT.

[@temidayoakinwale6637]

Siasia is a good coach, got silver and bronze at the Olympics as well, I wonder why he'd collect bribe

[@faroukbello164]

We gave Mourinho raw to build and he gave us a rigid and back passer Mikel Obi. Mourinho messed up on this one.

[@Helena_01541]

How was he a back passer?

[@abigailemakpor3901]

Chelsea killed his career

[@martezosunde]

Robbery, it's like watching Barcelona vs Chelsea 2008💔

[@IhuomaMatthew]

Imagine if Mikel had gone to Barca

[@olusegun.b.olofin5278]

The match whEre Argentina were five two penalties not worth a penalty . Fifa already had fheir pick on who rhwy wanted to win the u20 world championship .

[@richardsonagbalalah3257]

Mourinho actually did the right thing, Mikel is strong, but not quick with the foot, as such was best a defensive midfielder, all other managers saw this fact. The uninitiated without technical savvy would not know.

[@osasueghaghe4040]

We had chances and didn’t take them. Our attackers where too raw and in a rush without thinking quick. We had what it took to win that game despite the penalties awarded to Argentina.

[@tj6544]

Going to chelsea did not allow him to maximise his potential. He & his advisers followed the money. No way he was doing to take Lampard's position. Lampard was second best player in the world when Ronaldinho won the ballodor in 2006. Highest scoring midfielder in the history of the premier league with 177 and 102 assists. Not Mourinho fault nor Chelsea's.

[@ogbeideosazejames]

Kai is all I can say

[@samalibey]

Na kai b d only tin wey fit ds oooo

[@EtinosaOsayi]

I feel mikel should not have gone to chelsea 😢😢😢😢

[@michaelfalas8331]

MIKEL NEVER PLAY #10 IN 2005 JR WORLD CUP FOR NIGERIA! we played 4-2-2-2 in this game. Taiwo, james, dele adeleye, and adefemi are the 4 DEFENDERS. mikel and kaita are the 2 HOLDING MIDFIELDERS. owoeri and abwo are the 2 WINGERS. while issac promise played behind chinedu ogbuke obasi in front. so therefore issac was the number 10

[@seuna.8438]

You are right about the formation. Samson Siasia is an intelligent coach, I don't know how things went bad in his coaching career. I thought he would get to a top level based on what he did in this U20 2005. World Cup He formed a great team. I think if Obi was handled by coaches like Ferguson or Guardiola, his playing style may have developed to Yaya Toure kind of style. He can sit back to defend and control the game, he can pick long-range passes, he can run box-to-box and he has agility. It's even a misconception that he didn't do well in his career. He was pivotal almost in every trophy-winning season Chelsea had during his time there.

[@emmanuelodushola4432]

This is why we need to bring Sia sis back, I don’t understand. Boss is rubbish. We need Siasia, let’s pardon him. I’m he has finished serving his sentence

[@thecharteredmc]

You know football. Siasia plays the Nigerian brand of football. Nigeria does not sit back for anyone. Never! You hurt us, we hurt you!

[@firminamaka9073]

José Mourinho destroyed John Obi Michael, FIFA, UEFA and the Premier League also played their roles against him. Their plan was to fabricate Lionel Messi, and they succeeded. They openly stole Nigeria's victory and freely gave it to Argentina, that's why I can never value Lionel Messi till the end of time.

[@obiobi9378]

Not true, our defenders were rash. Those were stone wall penalties

[@Helena_01541]

You just had to bring in Messi

[@adebogunben9683]

To be candid d penalties given to Argentina was worth it, u can only say we were supposed to be awarded one

[@EtinosaOsayi]

Mikel would have won footballer of the year like Messi. Mikel chose the wrong club and coach. Why turn a player like this into a defender....

[@arthurfrancis4742]

So sad... Mourinho is mean, all for his own selfish interest

[@JoshuaIbibia]

Mikel no Sabi ball at all..

[@Helena_01541]

Really 😏

[@dicksonhaul4895]

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