Former Chelsea and Nigerian National Team Midfielder John Obi Mikel has sparked a football debate by claiming Real Madrid’s legendary midfielder Toni Kroos is “an average midfielder” and suggesting that players at elite clubs are often overrated.
Speaking on a podcast, Mikel did not hold back in his assessment. “Toni Kroos is an average midfielder. I was a better player than him to be honest,” Mikel stated. He argued that a player’s club should not automatically define their quality.
“The only difference was that I didn’t play for Real Madrid,” he continued. “I think we need to change this mentality of thinking a player who plays for Real Madrid is better than others.”
Mikel expanded his point to include other long-serving Real Madrid stars like Nacho, Dani Carvajal, and Luka Modric, who alongside Kroos have won five UEFA Champions League titles.
He believes their trophy haul creates a skewed perception.
“When you see that players like Kroos, Nacho, Carvajal and Modric won 5 UCLs it is a bit unfair, because these players are not even close to being the best in their positions,” Mikel said. “This shows that trophies can be misleading. I can name 10 players in the same positions that are better than these footballers.”
Kroos is widely considered one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, known for his precise passing, vision, and control of the game’s tempo. His trophy cabinet, filled with multiple league titles in Germany and Spain, a World Cup, and five Champions League medals, is often used as proof of his elite status.
Mikel, who had a successful career primarily at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League in 2012, and the Europa League, is arguing for a separation between team achievement and individual evaluation. His point touches on a long-standing discussion in football: does playing for a historically dominant club amplify a player’s reputation beyond their pure technical ability?
While Mikel did not list the ten players he considers superior, his bold claim challenges the narrative that often surrounds players at Europe’s most decorated clubs. It promotes a conversation about whether football culture overly glorifies success at certain institutions, potentially overshadowing the talents of players elsewhere.
(vdmempire)