Nigeria international Tochukwu Nnadi has said former Chelsea FC midfielder N’Golo Kanté is the greatest footballer in his opinion, placing him ahead of global stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Olympique de Marseille, made the comment during a recent interview with the club.

Nnadi’s career has progressed quickly in the last two years. He moved from Botev Plovdiv to Belgian side Zulte Waregem before completing a reported €6 million transfer to Marseille in the January transfer window.

Since arriving in France, the Nigerian midfielder has faced tough competition for a place in the team. Experienced players such as Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg and Geoffrey Kondogbia are also fighting for spots in midfield.

Nnadi, who plays mainly as a defensive midfielder and is known for his strong positioning, pressing and ball-winning ability, explained that Kanté remains the player he admires the most.

During his time at Chelsea, Kanté became known as one of the best midfielders in the world at recovering possession and breaking up opposition attacks. His tireless energy and smart reading of the game helped the club win several major trophies.

For Nnadi, whose own role focuses on winning the ball and controlling the tempo from deep positions, Kanté’s style has been a big influence on how he approaches the game.

The young midfielder’s progress has also been recognised at international level. He received his first call-up to the Nigeria national football team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and made his senior debut in Nigeria’s final group-stage match against Uganda national football team.

Since joining Marseille earlier this year, Nnadi has not yet become a regular starter. The strong competition in midfield means he may need more time to secure a consistent place in the team.

However, Marseille head coach Habib Beye has previously praised the Nigerian’s performances in training and believes he could earn more playing opportunities if he continues to improve.