Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun, has said that facing Lionel Messi at the 2018 World Cup, could be one of his career highlights. The Mainz defender also admitted he would probably bribe his team-mates, so he can get the Argentine’s shirt.
Balogun is most likely to be one half of Nigeria’s central defence partnership in Russia alongside William Troost-Ekong.
Both of them will be charged with keeping Messi quiet in their third Group D game in Saint Petersburg on June 26.
“It’s going to be interesting,” Balogun told KweséESPN.
“I’m really looking forward to it, he’s one of my favourite players.
“I love to watch him play, but when we play them I have to forget about that and the beauty of his game.”
Balogun also insisted that the Eagles won’t just be keeping an eye on Messi during the game, but also on his jersey after the match when they players swap shirts.
“A lot of players will ask for his shirt. I might have to bribe a few.
“We will have to find a solution. Maybe I can get a message to Messi that he mustn’t just bring one jersey but bring 11 so everybody is happy afterwards!” he added.
