I’m happy Argentina beat Nigeria – Messi

Lionel Messi

Argentine captain, Lionel Messi, has saluted members of the team for Tuesday’s 3-1 thrashing of Nigeria in a friendly game in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

He also said he harboured no grudges against the Super Eagles for the heavy tackles he received during the match, goal.com reports.

Goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and a Nigeria own goal helped Argentina overcome the Super Eagles, partially compensating for a humiliating 4-1 reverse the last time the two teams faced each other.

“It is crucial to win after all the failures we have been suffering lately. It is always positive to win, it leaves you feeling good.

“We created options, despite the pitch state and the heat we played well and we left a good impression. The game was won, that is the main thing, and we have to keep getting better,” said Messi, who once again failed to score but was in great form in front of an adoring crowd.

Several Argentina players, Messi principal among them, were targeted by the Super Eagles for some rough treatment over the 90 minutes. He was left bloodied on the sidelines after one particularly heavy challenge, but he dismissed the idea that he was singled out for foul play.

“They didn’t just hit me, there were a lot of kicks but they weren‘t intended as dirty. I don‘t go on the pitch thinking about getting hit, I go out to play,” Messi insisted.

He won’t feature in the Argentine team’s next match against Brazil, in which both teams will be composed of locally-based players.

still in need of some information? search this site:

LOVE THE ARTICLE ABOVE?
Receive Updates: subscribe to Imo Herald in a reader or sign up for Free Email Updates