Nigerian comedian and actor, Bright Okpocha also known as Basketmouth, has said Lionel Messi should pave way for other players to win awards like him.
He asserted this during an interview when questioned about Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen making the final 12-man shortlist for the FIFA Best Men’s Player award.
The comic act said Messi has won enough awards throughout his career, reason why his name shouldn’t have been on added to the list of players like Haaland, Mbappe and Osimhen.
On whether the Nigeria international stands a chance, Basketmouth said; “Yeah, he stands a chance, he’s been very impressive with the title he won and the Golden Boot too in Italy. Someone like Messi should leave that place, he has won enough, he should leave the other ones. The thing, most times, it’s not even whether he wins or not.
The fact that he’s been listed, that he was shortlisted to be on that same platform is a win for me. Like when my albums were nominated for the Headies awards alongside those that have been doing music for 12 years or more, it’s a win for me even though I didn’t get the award.”
He also talked about his plans for his child, Jason who recently enrolled into Liverpool Football Academy. The stand-up comedian said his son was the one who showed interest and he made the decision to aid his dreams, no matter what it is, so long he completes schooling.
Basketmouth said; “He’s a football fan and he knows how to play, but he also loves the game so much. And there’s one thing that I vowed to always do, because my parents did the same thing for me. The only thing my dad told me was that as long as I had finished school, then I could do whatever I liked. So, I have that same mentality in terms of my son, like if it’s football, he has interest in music as well, but he has more interest in football.
He was the one that sent me the website where I could register him, and when I saw the call, I was amazed but it was something that he wanted, so I had to pull through with it. And he did it, he came out good. But then, he is done with secondary school next year, so there is no point for us to rush him, so it is left for him to just get done with school and face it full time, but his result was quite impressive.”
