Leicester City striker Ahmed Musa says he is ready to eclipse Lionel Messi and fire Nigeria into the knock-out stages of the World Cup.
Musa, who could be leaving City this summer, scored both goals for the Super Eagles in a vital 2-0 win over Iceland that gave his nation a chance of reaching the last 16 and set up an intriguing final group game against two-time winners Argentina on Tuesday night.
The victory also kept Argentina’s chances of progressing alive after they picked up just one point from their first two games and were calamitous in their 3-0 defeat to Croatia.
Messi has looked a shadow of his usual self so far in the tournament and Musa believes history will be on his side when the two sides meet in the decider in Saint Petersburg.
Musa marked his first appearance in a City shirt with two goals against Messi’s Barcelona in the International Champions Cup clash in Sweden two years ago, following his club record £16million move from CSKA Moscow, and it hasn’t been the only time he has been on song against Messi.
“Whenever I play against Argentina, or whenever (Lionel) Messi is playing against me, I score,” Musa said confidently.
“Four years ago, in Brazil when Messi was playing against me, I scored two goals.
“When I transferred to Leicester City and we played against Barcelona and Messi was in the pitch too, I scored another two goals, so I think in the next game anything can happen.
“Possibly, I’m going to score another two goals.
“I think scoring against Argentina isn’t that difficult for me. We know the importance of the game. It’s do-or-die."
Musa is joined by his City team-mates Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi in the Nigeria squad hoping they can join England’s City duo Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire in booking their place in the last 16.