Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo has named Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as the toughest striker he faced during his international career with the Super Eagles, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Omeruo made the revelation while featuring as a pundit on Sporty TV’s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he answered a series of quick-fire questions about his playing career.
Asked to identify the most difficult opponent he had come up against, the 32-year-old responded without hesitation.
“Lionel Messi,” Omeruo said.
The experienced centre-back faced Messi twice on the biggest stage of international football, meeting the Argentina captain at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.
Messi scored against Nigeria on both occasions and played a decisive role in Argentina’s victories over the Super Eagles.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Messi netted twice in Argentina’s 3-2 group-stage win over Nigeria, while he was again on target four years later
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