On this day in 2017, the draws for the 2018 World Cup was made with Nigeria grouped alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia.
Shortly after the draws, global football icon Lionel Messi was asked about his opinion on playing against the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the fourth time as a senior international for Argentina.
Messi didn’t mince word when he analyzed the Super Eagles terming them as a high scoring team but one which also allow opponents to play to their strength.
“Nigeria; one day they score four goals, the next one, they leave plenty spaces for you to do anything,” Messi said.
At the World Cup proper Messi scored the opener for Argentina as they secure a 2-1 win over Nigeria in their final group game to qualify for the round of 16 while Nigeria crashed out.
His four goal analogy finally came to pass last month when the Super Eagles lost a four goal lead to draw 4-4 with Sierra Leone in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers game in Benin City .