In the pantheon of footballing wizards, few names evoke as much awe as Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha and Ronaldinho Gaucho. The debate over who possessed the superior “flair” was recently reignited by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, but the Nigerian maestro has now settled the score with his trademark confidence: “Nobody is better than me.”
The friendly dispute began when Arteta, who shared a dressing room with both icons during his formative years at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), admitted he was unable to separate the two in terms of raw skill and creativity. However, speaking with Clutch 9, Okocha—the man so good they named him twice—wasn’t quite as diplomatic.
The “Chief Flair Officer” Asserts Dominance
When pressed on Arteta’s refusal to pick a favorite, Okocha leaned into his reputation as the ultimate entertainer. For the former Super Eagles captain, the question isn’t just about statistics; it’s about the soul of the game.
“Well, I mean, I can’t say anybody is better than me since I have accepted the title of Flair, Chief Flair Officer,” Okocha remarked with a smile.
Okocha’s assertion stems from a career defined by audacious step-overs, rainbow flicks, and a level of ball manipulation that frequently left world-class defenders in knots. By claiming the title of “Chief Flair Officer,” he reminded the footballing world that while many have played the game, few have mastered its artistry quite like him.
Despite his self-assured stance, Okocha was quick to shower his former protégé with praise. Ronaldinho arrived at PSG as a 20-year-old in 2001, and Okocha recalls that the Brazilian’s “genius” was undeniable from his very first training session.
The Connection: “We clicked because our foundation was the same,” Okocha explained. “We learned how to play on the street. We played because we loved the game and we played with a smile on our faces.”
The Impact: Okocha noted that Ronaldinho brought a “different” energy to Europe, arriving with a fully-formed identity that would eventually lead him to Ballon d’Or glory at Barcelona.
The timeline of their partnership was brief but legendary. For one magical year between 2001 and 2002, the Parc des Princes was the epicenter of footballing imagination. While Ronaldinho was signed as the heir apparent to Okocha’s throne, the Nigerian legend insists there was never any friction between them.
Okocha departed for Bolton Wanderers in 2002—where he would go on to become a Premier League cult hero—while Ronaldinho stayed one more year in Paris before his transformative move to Catalonia.
While Arteta may remain “on the fence” regarding who was more gifted, Okocha has made his position clear. In the kingdom of flair, the Super Eagles legend believes there is only one throne, and he is still sitting on it.
