Argentina needs Messi to beat Nigeria-Rojo

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo was in the Argentine team when Nigeria faced the South African side at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and again the defender will be on duty when Coach Genor Rohr side take on Lionel Messi-inspired side in Russia this year.

Aware of the quality of the Nigerian side, Rojo told Manchester United website on Tuesday that he foresees a tough match against the West African side.

“It’s Nigeria again! I think it’s three or four times now we’ve been drawn with Nigeria and it will be a difficult group. Croatia and Iceland are in there too. Hopefully, Lionel Messi will be in form and can do something for us,” Rojo admitted.

He however, said Argentina want “payback” for Argentina’s World Cup final agony in Brazil four years ago.

The 26-year-old went all the way with his country in Brazil, only to lose 1-0 to Germany in the 2014 final, with Mario Gotze scoring the only goal of a tight game in extra-time.

As the only Red representing Jorge Sampaoli’s team following Sergio Romero’s withdrawal due to a knee injury, the centre-back has pledged that he and his fellow countrymen will give everything to go one better this time around and repeat the nation’s successes in 1978 and 1986. “Obviously, it’s a really important thing and a big deal for any Argentine to wear that shirt,” he said. “We really feel the shirt a lot and we defend our colours.

“We give everything when we are wearing it and we want payback for the way things happened at the last World Cup. We will do everything to give our fans the possibility to celebrate winning the trophy again.”

Argentina have a final warm-up fixture against Israel on Saturday before the action gets under way in Russia.

The Albiceleste are in Group D and will fancy their chances in the tournament, despite struggling to actually clinch a spot, before Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick against Ecuador in the final South American qualifier.