What Lionel Messi told his team mates before the 2nd half against Nigeria

Manchester United’s Argentine defender, Marcos Rojo has revealed what Lionel Messi told the team prior to the beginning of the second half in their last Group D game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Before stepping on the field, the Argentine players could be seen at the entrance of the tunnel gathered around Messi who was given them instructions.

When interviewed after the match, Marcos Rojo, who scored the winner that secured South Americans a spot in the knock-out stage, revealed the instructions  Messi was given them.

“We felt nervous and that message helped us a lot and gave me personally a huge confidence boost.

“Messi is our captain and he’s the best captain in the world, it was amazing to score that goal. Messi told everyone that it was either life or death. It could’ve gone badly. We could’ve conceded but Leo was stubborn.

“He told everyone that it was either life or death, that we had a duty to score, to shoot when we had the chance.

“It could’ve gone badly. We could’ve conceded but Leo was stubborn.

“He told me to run forward. Even (Javier) Mascherano.

“He told everyone to attack no matter what. He truly read the game and the risks. He’s a leader. The best,” Marcos Rojo said.

Speaking after the game, Lionel Messi revealed how pressurizing the game against Nigeria was.

“It was a very balanced game, we were able to control the first half, we had more possession, they tried to create chances around after the first goal.

“We thought the second half would be similar but they scored a penalty and that made things more difficult, we got nervous, we had pressure as time goes faster,’’ he said.

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