By Gloria Drealomalicha
Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has ignited debate among football fans after naming Nigerian icon Jay-Jay Okocha as the greatest footballer of all time, dismissing the long-running rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Grammy Award-winning singer made the remarks during an interview with ESPN, where he was asked to share his favourite picks across several football categories.
Without hesitation, Burna Boy selected former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha as the best playmaker.
When asked to name Africa’s greatest footballer of all time, he again chose the Nigerian legend before going a step further by declaring Okocha the greatest player in football history.
“I’ll say Jay-Jay Okocha. See, it’s between him and… who else? Pelé. I’m not doing that Ronaldo and Messi stuff,” Burna Boy said.
His comments are already generating widespread reactions online, particularly among football supporters accustomed to the enduring Messi-versus-Ronaldo debate.
Beyond his greatest-of-all-time pick, Burna Boy also revealed his preferences in other football categories.
He named England captain Harry Kane as the best striker he has watched, while selecting Tshwala Bam (Remix) as his favourite football-related song.
For the best young player in the world, the singer chose Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal, although he admitted his loyalty to Manchester United influenced his decision to also mention midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
“Just because of Man United,” he said.
Burna Boy further identified Manchester United as his favourite football club, with Mainoo emerging as his favourite player at the Premier League side.
Asked which sporting event he would most like to perform at, the Afrobeats star gave a straightforward answer: the FIFA World Cup.
His selections, particularly his decision to place Okocha above global football icons such as Messi and Ronaldo, have fuelled fresh conversations about the enduring legacy of one of Nigeria’s most celebrated footballers.
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