Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli has warned Nigeria, Iceland and Croatia they should be wary of five-time world footballer of the year, Lionel Messi.
Speaking in a press conference, Sampaoli warned that Messi would not go into the World Cup exhausted as has been the case over the last editions of the competition.

“We talked about his current situation, and about the fact that he cannot arrive as exhausted at the World Cup as he was four years ago,” Sampaoli said at a press conference.

“The plan is for him to make the most of the rest periods so as to be physically and mentally fit and in top shape (for the World Cup.”

It would be recalled that Messi was excused to return to his club by the coach from a November friendly against Nigeria, which the Eagles won 4-2.

But even in Brazil, a ‘tired’ Messi scored four goals including a brace against Nigeria as Argentina went all the way to the final against Germany.

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