'I'd love to have Messi' – Troost-Ekong names Barcelona legend as dream Super Eagles teammate

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, has revealed that Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi is the only player he would love to have in the Nigerian national team.

Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Troost-Ekong praised the current Super Eagles squad but admitted that having the Argentine legend would be a dream come true.

“I’d love to have Lionel Messi in my team. I don't know if he has got a father or grandfather who is Nigerian somehow,” he joked.

The former PAOK defender, who has faced some of the best attackers in world football, also reflected on the wealth of talent within the Super Eagles setup.

“We have some fantastic players. I wouldn't want to wish anyone else to be part of the squad. 

"I think between the players that we have and ex-internationals, we have got something really special,” Troost-Ekong added.

Speaking of memorable opponents, the 31-year-old singled out Colombian striker Duván Zapata as one of his toughest adversaries during his time in Italy.

“A player called Duván Zapata. He played for Atalanta at that time. For one season in Italy, he just had me on my toes,” he noted.

Troost-Ekong further revealed that he has gone up against almost all of the world’s best strikers, including Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.

“I played against great strikers beside Mbappe, and Haaland. I think almost all the ones that we see nowadays have a chance to play against them,” he concluded.

He also highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo, praising the Portuguese star for his exceptional goal-scoring ability whenever they faced each other.

“And another one that is consistent in goals probably has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. I think we have played each other five times and three times he managed to get goals against me.”

Describing the honour of playing for and captaining Nigeria as the pinnacle of his career, the Super Eagles skipper also reaffirmed his ambition to win the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and secure qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

Adeyemi Adewale

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