Nigerian Legend Mikel Obi Apologises to Cristiano Ronaldo, Clarifies 'Viral' Social Media Quote

• John Mikel Obi has clarified a recent quote on Cristiano Ronaldo that is circulating on social media
• The former Nigerian international released an official statement apologising to the Portuguese ace
• The former Super Eagles midfielder has been trending online after an apparent remark about CR7

Legendary Nigerian midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has apologised to Cristiano Ronaldo for a recent 'quote' that went viral across the social media space.

The former Chelsea midfielder reportedly said Thierry Henry, Eden Hazard, and some others were much better than Ronaldo in the Premier League.

Mikel Obi attracted criticism for an apparent claim that the Portuguese veteran was not among the top 10 greatest players in the English top flight.

Mikel took to his official Instagram page to apologise to Ronaldo about the furore and released a statement claiming the quotes were not true.

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"We sincerely apologise 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.

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Mikel Obi's Instagram post has since been removed, although the reason remains unclear.

Siasia hits out at Mikel

Sports Brief earlier reported that former Nigeria Olympic football coach, Samson Siasia branded Mikel Obi as 'stubborn'.

He was one of the three over-aged players who represented the Super Eagles squad at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

The then-Chelsea midfielder played a pivotal role as Nigeria claimed a bronze medal finish at the summer games of that year.