Former Nigerian international John Mikel Obi has paid glowing tribute to Ivorian legend Yaya Touré, calling him the most complete African footballer to ever play in the Premier League.

Reflecting on their time in England, where the two midfielders regularly battled it out on opposite sides, Mikel praised Touré’s versatility, technical brilliance, and commanding presence at Manchester City.

“Yaya Touré is the most complete African footballer that ever played in the Premier League,” Mikel declared.

The former Chelsea star also opened up about the 2013 CAF Player of the Year award, a moment some still debate to this day. Mikel, who had just won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Nigeria and played a key role in Chelsea’s European campaigns, was widely tipped for the award that eventually went to Touré.

“I was told I am winning the African Best ahead of Yaya Touré,” Mikel recalled.

But in a show of mutual respect and sportsmanship, Yaya Touré recently acknowledged Mikel’s immense contribution that year and admitted he would have been fine had the award gone to the Nigerian midfielder.

“You deserved it, to be honest,” Touré said. “Nigeria won the AFCON, and you were instrumental in that. If it came to you, I’d have been okay because you deserved it.”

The exchange between the two African greats is a reminder of the talent, mutual respect, and legacy they’ve both etched into the history of African football.