Nothing Extraordinary About Messi – Onazi

 

Super Eagles and Lazio of Italy midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi insists Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is a “normal human being”, Goal reports. Onazi will attempt to stop Messi when Nigeria face Argentina in their World Cup Group F final match on Wednesday. The Super Eagles defeated Bosnia 1-0 in Cuiaba on Saturday to move second in the group, two points behind the Albiceleste, who have already qualified following their opening two victories. Messi scored a dramatic late winner during an uninspiring clash against Iran on Saturday but Onazi maintains there is nothing superhuman about the Barcelona star. “Messi is a normal human being, a football player,” he told reporters. “Of course we have to strategize and make our plans to make sure we get things done (against Argentina).” Onazi, who was impressed with his side’s performance in their surprise 1-0 win over Bosnia, feels he carried out coach Stephen Keshi’s instructions to the letter. “We improved on our passes and our attacking and made sure we did everything as a team,” the Lazio midfielder said. “The coach gave me some instructions, and I had to do it. I’m the one in charge in the midfield and I had to calculate how to move forward, when to come back. It was the game plan for the team.” The match against the Albiceleste will the fourth time both teams have played at the World Cup, with the South Americans having won all three encounters. After watching Iran hold them for more than 90 minutes before Messi scored a late clincher, Onazi says the Eagles are ready to take on one of the pre-tournament favourites. “We’re taking every game step by step. No one gave us a chance and we are not ready to say much, we just want to go step by step,” Onazi said