Grammy-winning Nigerian music star, Burna Boy, has picked former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha as his greatest footballer of all time, snubbing the long-standing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo debate.
For years, discussions over football’s greatest player have largely revolved around Messi and Ronaldo, whose achievements have defined an era of the sport. Burna Boy, however, believes Okocha deserves the top spot.
Speaking during an interview with ESPN, the award-winning singer said the Nigerian icon ranks above the modern-day superstars in his personal list.
“I will say Jay Jay Okocha. It is between him and Pele. I am not doing that Ronaldo or Messi stuff,” he said.
Celebrated for his exceptional dribbling ability, vision, and flair, Okocha enjoyed a distinguished international career with Nigeria, earning 73 caps and scoring 14 goals for the Super Eagles.
The former Bolton Wanderers, Fenerbahçe, and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker is widely recognised as one of Africa’s finest footballers and among the most gifted dribblers the game has ever produced.
During his illustrious playing career, Okocha featured in Germany’s Bundesliga, Turkey’s Süper Lig, France’s Ligue 1, England’s Premier League and EFL Championship, as well as the Qatar Stars League before retiring from professional football in 2008.
Burna Boy also made history at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where he performed his collaborative hit “Dai Dai” alongside Shakira. The song went on to become the highest-charting FIFA World Cup track on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 17.
