Lionel Messi wary of Nigeria ahead of 2018 World Cup

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Dec 07, 2017. 13:30

Argentina attacker Lionel Messi has admitted that he is wary of Nigeria after the teams were pooled together in last week’s draw for the 2018 World Cup.

The Super Eagles and the South American heavyweights were placed in Group D alongside Croatia and debutants Iceland.

Messi said that Nigeria are a dangerous team who have powerful attackers, as demonstrated in their 4-2 friendly win over Argentina in Russia during the last international window.

“Nigeria are like that, they have two faces. If they have their day, they score four goals,” Messi told TyCSports.

“They have very good players it was clear in the second half [of the friendly]; but they also allow you to play, they leave gaps and many spaces are generated.”

Messi also expressed his respect for Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel, who voted for the Argentina in the Best FIFA Football Awards Men's Player of the Year category.

“We played many times against each other, but never talked. Simply a greeting and respect forever,” added the Barcelona forward.