Former Nigerian midfielder, John Mikel Obi has apologized to Cristiano Ronaldo over his recent quote on the Al Nassr forward went viral on social media.
Recall the former Chelsea midfielder said Thierry Henry, Eden Hazard, and some others were much better than Ronaldo in the Premier League.
Critics called him out for his claims that the Portuguese veteran was not among the top 10 best players to ever grace the English topflight.
Mikel took to his official Instagram page to apologize to Ronaldo and released a statement claiming the quotes were not true.
“We sincerely apologize for any confusion caused by this statement. We would like to clarify that John Mikel Obi did not make the statement claiming that ‘Cristiano Ronaldo is not even top 10 greatest in Premier League history’. This statement is completely false and should be regarded as fake news,” he said.
The statement also acknowledged and expressed ‘utmost respect’ for Ronaldo as a ‘true icon in the world of football’.
“Ronaldo’s achievements and contributions to the sport, both in the Premier League and beyond, are unparalleled. His exceptional skills, numerous records, and numerous individual and team accolades have solidified his status as one of the greatest football players of all time.”
The former Nigerian international encouraged fans and members of the public to depend on credible sources for verified comments.
“We believe in the importance of accurate information and responsible journalism. It is crucial to verify the credibility of sources before accepting any statements as true. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and encourage everyone to rely on trusted sources for reliable information about the world of sports,” he added.
Mikel Obi’s Instagram post has since been removed, although the reason remains unclear.
