Deputy PM: Argentina-Nigeria Friendly Will Bring Big Attention, Messi Will Come

The Deputy Prime Minister of Russia,Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko, has admitted that November's friendly between  Argentina and Nigeria, which will be held in Krasnodar, is an indicator of interest in Russia before the 2018 World Cup.

Whilst the Super Eagles squad for the games against Algeria and Argentina have not been released, the South Americans have confirmed that Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and Zenit St Petersburg trio Leandro Paredes , Emiliano Rigoni  and Matias Kranevitter are in line to face the three-time African champions.

''The Argentines [after the match with the Russian team] will stay with us and on November 14 they will play in Krasnodar - they asked for another game in Russia, they will play with the Nigerian national team, this is once again a big attention to our country, so that our guys are well prepared, in general, everything is determined, I hope,'' Mutko told tass.ru.

"The stars will come, [Lionel] Messi will come, I hope football will be of good quality, everyone will see the updated Luzhniki. A wonderful stadium, we invite everyone."

In the updated Fifa ranking, Argentina are the fourth best team in the world and their next African opponents Nigeria occupy the 41st position.

Igho Kingsley