Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi GOAT debate addressed by Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel as former midfielder makes ‘training the whole week’ claim

The former Blues midfielder weighed in on the Messi-Ronaldo debate and shared unique insights about facing the two legends in their prime. Mikel admitted that he is a fan of Messi and revealed Chelsea's tactical preparations, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to contain the Argentine, as defending one-on-one seemed impossible against the eight-time Ballon d'Or.

While speaking toRio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, Mikel said: "I’m a Messi fan. When we played against [Manchester] United when Cristiano was there we knew Ash (Ashley Cole) would deal with him. He is capable of dealing with him. I know the comparison is there but because I've played against both and Messi was close to me when we played against them. But for me, and I'm not going to say miles because of what Cristiano has done as well, but for me, I really don't see the comparison. I just think Messi is from a different planet. I just think he is that good."

Mikel revealed that since Barcelona's gameplan was to get the ball to Messi, they would resort to kicking him and the whole week would be planned on how to stop the forward from getting into advanced areas. He said: "Every time it was against Barcelona, of my god, training the whole week was about Messi. We have to have two, or three players with him, you can't defend one-v-one against him. It's impossible. You're dead. And the way they play, the way they move the ball around with the sole purpose of getting the ball to him and all he's doing is watching the game. I know we all talk about how he walks around but it's just to find the space. Once that ball gets to him, the movement everybody is running and moving, it's so difficult [to play against].

"The game plan was just to kick him because we can't get the ball off him or get close enough. If you think he is there, he is gone. You can watch our games when we play them. JT (John Terry) is tackling, Frankie's (Frank Lampard) tackling, I'm tackling, everybody's putting in tackles. That's the only way we could stop him."

Mikel's assertion that Messi is from a "different planet" adds a distinctive viewpoint to the ongoing debate. However, it is unlikely that it will be settled anytime in the future as the two legends of the game continue to conquer new milestones.