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Lionel Messi: Argentina star sent World Cup warning ahead of crunch Nigeria clash
LIONEL MESSI will not be shown any mercy by Nigeria as Argentina battle to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup, according to Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr.
Argentine pundits hold minute's silence after World Cup loss
Despite having not won in their opening two games of the World Cup, Argentina still have a chance of progressing from the group stages when they face Nigeria tonight (7pm).
It has been an embarrassing World Cup for Argentina so far having drawn their opening game against Iceland 1-1 before being thrashed 3-0 by Croatia.
Nigeria vs Argentina: Follow Lionel Messi in World Cup action
Several pundits and former players have commented on the body language of Messi while there have also been reports of unrest in the camp with boss Jorge Sampaoli.
Messi has often spoke about the level of scrutiny the national team are under to perform well and momentarily retired from international football back in 2016 following defeat to Chile in the Copa America - Argentina’s fourth major final loss in nine years.
We are not in Russia to watch Messi play
At 31 years old, this could be Messi’s final World Cup but Nigeria will not be looking to give the Barcelona star any favours.
"There will be no mercy for Messi even if we love him so much,” Rohr said.
“We are not in Russia to watch Messi play.
“Super Eagles want to play to win. We are here to qualify for the next stage and will not allow Messi and his Argentina to ride us to fame.
"We are not bothered by the fact that Argentina is in the Top 10 of world football while we are in the 49th spot.
“We are hungry to qualify for the Round of 16.
He added: "It is going to be a spectacular game. We can play 4-3-2-1 or 4-4-2 or even 3-5-2. What I can assure you is that the beginning of the game will be better than all the two previous matches we have played here at this World Cup.
"There will be no repeat of the kind of silly mistakes that costs us two cheap penalties in our last two matches.
"We have trained hard to ensure that our defenders do not repeat such silly mistakes again against Argentina.”