Keshi: 'Messi is from Jupiter!'

Nigeria Coach Stephen Keshi was full of praise and encouragement for LeoMessi. “He’s from Jupiter!”

The 3-2 defeat to Argentina was one of the most entertaining and hard-fought games of the World Cup so far, but also a pleasingly fair clash with players joking on the field.

The fact both sides progressed to the Last 16 regardless of the result certainly helped the atmosphere.

“Messi is one heck of a player. You can’t take that away from him,” confessedKeshi to FIFA after the Argentina captain bagged a brace.

“He’s blessed. I think there are other players in the Argentina squad who are very strong, but Messi is from Jupiter.”

Nigeria fought back twice to draw level, but were eventually undone by MarcoRojo from a corner.

“We gave too much respect to the Argentines and did not play our game in the first half. We played a bit more aggressive in the second half.

“Congratulations to the Argentina team, I wish them all the best in the tournament.”