John Obi Mikel Questions Lionel Messi After Argentina’s Dramatic World Cup Win

John Obi Mikel questions Lionel Messi after the Argentina captain inspired his side to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday. The former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder praised Messi’s remarkable endurance and admitted he remains amazed by the veteran’s ability to deliver when his team needs him most.

Speaking on Fox Sports after the match, Mikel reflected on the physical and mental demands Messi has faced throughout the tournament. He argued that Argentina have repeatedly relied on their captain to carry them through difficult matches.

“Argentina is coming through yet another difficult game, where they have been pushed to the limit,” Mikel said. “How much has Messi played? How much has been taken away from him mentally, psychologically and physically?”

However, Mikel believes the biggest question is whether the Argentine superstar can continue producing decisive performances as the tournament reaches its decisive stages.

“That’s going to be the question as well—how much can he give again to drag this Argentina team to another semi-final?” he added.

Nevertheless, John Obi Mikel questions Lionel Messi only because of the extraordinary standards the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to set. Mikel admitted he still cannot explain how Messi repeatedly finds the energy to change games.

“When you have Messi, I don’t know what the guy eats. I don’t know what he eats because every time you think it is finished, he comes up with something spectacular,” he said.

Argentina’s narrow victory kept their World Cup hopes alive, while Messi once again proved decisive with another influential display. As expectations continue to rise, John Obi Mikel questions Lionel Messi not out of doubt, but out of admiration for a player who consistently defies age and pressure on football’s biggest stage.