Stakes in Nigeria vs Argentina: Historical rivalry and a delayed payback

Anything less than a win would mean Argentina crash out of the World Cup. Nigeria are staring down the barrel too, but, if they manage to defeat Argentina, they'd be rewarded with a spot in next round

Today, Lionel Messi will lead Argentina at the St. Petersburg stadium. Lining up beside him would be Nigeria's John Mikel Obi and his compatriots. The two captains share a tinge of personal history and their teams have an entire canvas painted in shared past. When the ball is rolled and the whistle blown, the 22 men on the field will fight, fight for more than just a win, fight for what the win would mean. They would fight to put their signature at the very end of the story they have already written. Nigeria for its story of vengeance and proving they deserve to be where they are. Argentina's story -- that of hope, oscillating between either its resurgence or dwindling into the oblivion.

"We knew we would get them," Mikel says. "I said to a friend of mine: "Trust me, Argentina are going to be in the same group as us." It's crazy. I don’t know why but it keeps happening." The Nigerian captain was speaking with a reporter of British newspaper 'The Guardian'. 

And he isn't wrong either. Nigeria have seen more of Argentina than probably any other team in the World Cup finals since 1994 -- when they first qualified. To be precise, the Africans have met the South Americans in four of the five World Cups they have participated in. And, they have never won.

John Obi Mikel (Photo: @mikel_john_obi)

Mikel and his teammates are determined to break that jinx when they meet Argentina in Group D finale today. And there's a lot at stake too. Anything less than a win would mean Argentina crash out of the World Cup. Nigeria are staring down the barrel too, but, if they manage to defeat Argentina, they'd be rewarded handsomely -- with a spot in the Round of 16.

But, it's not just the teams. Mikel has a personal score to settle too.

 

In the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships, Nigeria finished second. So did Mikel, in terms of personal accolade. 

"The moment changed everything...," Mikel says in an article in The Players Tribune. "The only player better than me? Lionel Messi. (I’m still so annoyed he scored two penalties in that final and beat us.)," Mikel says about the game in which Argentina ran out 2-1 winners to win the competition in which Messi scored two penalties and won the Golden Ball. Mikel had to make do with the Silver Ball.

Almost 13 summers later, Mikel is staring at maybe his last World Cup. So does Messi. And while he respects Messi, he isn't dazzled or awed by his genius.

"Listen, in my opinion, Messi is the greatest player of all-time. He is a genius. There will never be another Messi. But back in 2005, he took something from me at the Youth World Cup. It has been a long time since then. We are not kids anymore. We are grandpas now. But I’ve thought about that game more than you would believe. I still think about it. I would like to pay him back for that. I would like to send him home," he says.

Mikel has a score to settle. Nigeria too. This time he won't finish second. He has sorn vengeance and what better way to do that than by breaking Messi's and Argentina's greatest dream. He knows it won't be easy, but he is ready for the hard work it takes. 

"..I am not going to chicken out.. That’s what I want to bring to Nigeria going into this final match against Argentina. That confidence, that drive, that spirit. Our aim is not to beat Argentina. Our aim is to win the World Cup. You may think that sounds silly, but if we are not ambitious, then why are we even in Russia?," the Nigerian captain says.

"Nigeria is not here to wear a nice kit. Nigeria is not here to have fun. Nigeria is here to win," he signs off.