Okocha leaves out Messi in his all-time XI

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has revealed his all-time XI, but there is no place for arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi. 

Okocha revealed his list at the Veteran Clubs World Championship (VCWC) press conference, where he was the special guest. 

The ex-Super Eagles star’s team was filled with great players, but surprisingly, Messi was nowhere to be found. 

Messi is regarded as the best player to ever play the beautiful game, having won everything in football. 

The Inter Miami star is the owner of seven Ballon d’Ors, two FIFA Best Awards, four Champions League titles and multiple LaLiga championships. 

Messi also won the Copa America before finally winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last year. 

However, despite Messi’s unprecedented achievements, Okocha omitted the former Barcelona man from his all-time football XI. 

There was also no place for Messi’s longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Okocha’s XI, with the former Bolton star going for players from his generation. 

Okocha went for Oliver Khan in goal despite embarrassing him during their time together in the German Bundesliga. 

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder went for a back four of Roberto Carlos (Left-back), Franco Baresi (Centre-back), Paulo Maldini (Centre-back) and Cafu (Right-Back). 

In midfield, Okocha selected Fernando Redondo, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo as his midfielders. 

Up front, Okocha went for the dangerous attacking trio of Ronaldo de Lima, Diego Armando Maradona and Ronaldinho. 

Speaking about his team, Okocha revealed he was happy not to have played against Baresi, while also stating his attacking frontline would be a nightmare for opposition defences.