Although Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will not be part of the squad to face Nigeria in the November 14th friendly in Russia, the Argentina Captain is nonetheless concerned about likely opponents when the World Cup draw is made December 1 in Moscow.
Messi whose Argentina is likely to face Nigeria in the world cup proper judging from the modus of past world cup draws, did not express any fears about facing the Super Eagles but rather revealed that he is having goose pimples over possibilities of facing 2010 World cup champions Spain.
“The worst that could happen to us would be to draw Spain at the group stages,” Messi told TyC Sports Wednesday from Moscow where Argentina play Russia in a friendly on Saturday.
“I would prefer to avoid them, they’d be tough opponents.”
In the interview with the Argentinian television station, Messi named Brazil, Germany and France alongside Spain as favorites to take the World Cup crown in Russia.
“I think that at the moment, they’re the strongest teams who give the best impressions, those who are playing best, with the best individuals.”
Messi also spoke about Argentina’s near nail biting qualification for the World Cup finals, which the Barcelona star sealed with a hat-trick in a rare 3-1 away victory over Ecuador.
“I always believed we’d get there, but I thought we would have tied up qualification before the Ecuador game,” said Messi, reiterating that he would like to end his career in his Argentinian birthplace of Rosario.
“I would love to play for Newell’s Old Boys, in the stadium where I’ve seen so many matches,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the coming years, how I’m going to feel. I live from day to day; I’m not focused on the future.”
