WORLD CUP FOCUS: Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi fears Argentina's Lionel Messi

Piotr Zielinski (R) of Poland in action against Wilfred Ndidi (L) of Nigeria during the international friendly soccer match between Poland and Nigeria in Wroclaw, Poland, 23 March 2018. EPA/Maciej Kulczynski POLAND OUT

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday May 02, 2018. 12:00

Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi admits that he feats facing Argentina's Lionel Messi at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Ndidi, who plies his trade for Leicester in the English Premier League, emphasized the importance of collecting maximum points in their two opening matches before facing Argentina in their last group game.

The Super Eagles are in Group D alongside Croatia, Argentina and Iceland.

Nigeria open the World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 16 before facing Iceland six days later and then Argentina on June 26.

Speaking to the FIFA World Cup Russia Magazine show, Ndidi stated the importance of getting positive results in their opening two group matches before highlighting just how dangerous Barcelona hit-man Messi can be.

"We just have to try and win, give it all in our first two games before we face Argentina," said Ndidi.

"The Argentina team is very good, for me, I will say Messi is unstoppable. He is the best player in the world.

"But I think we are in a group where we can do something. It depends on our preparations and how much we want it, not just we have qualified let's just go and play the World Cup.

"We want to make history, we want to do well. We want to make sure we go there believing we can beat Argentina, Croatia and Iceland."

The Super Eagles are scheduled to play friendly matches against Congo, England, and the Czech Republic in preparation for the World Cup.