Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has thrown his weight behind former Super Eagles midfielder Austin Okocha, declaring him the greatest footballer to have ever played the game — ahead of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Burna Boy brushed aside the era-defining Ronaldo–Messi debate that has consumed football fans for well over a decade, pointing instead to the iconic Nigerian playmaker.

"I will say Jay Jay Okocha. It is between him and Pelé. I am not doing that Ronaldo or Messi stuff," Burna Boy said.

Okocha earned 73 caps for Nigeria, scoring 14 goals, and built a reputation as one of the most gifted dribblers the sport has ever produced. His extraordinary creativity and flair made him a fan favourite wherever he played.

The legendary midfielder represented some of Europe's most storied clubs — among them Paris Saint-Germain, Fenerbahçe, and Bolton Wanderers — across competitions including Ligue 1, the Süper Lig, the Premier League, and the Bundesliga. He also played in the EFL Championship and the Qatar Stars League before retiring in 2008.

Widely regarded as one of the finest African footballers of all time, Okocha's influence on the global game extends far beyond his statistics.

Burna Boy himself has a personal connection to the world stage: he performed at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and his collaborative track "Dai Dai" with Shakira became the highest-charting World Cup song on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 17.