Argentina forward Lionel Messi is set to make the 1,000th appearance of his career in Saturday’s World Cup last-16 tie with Australia.
He will win his 169th cap on top of 778 games for Barcelona and 53 matches for current side Paris St-Germain.
If they lose it could be the final time the 35-year-old plays at a World Cup.”We have to be alert to everything. It won’t come down to just one individual to stop him,” Australia defender Harry Souttar said.
Stoke City’s Souttar, who was born in Aberdeen and used to be a Scotland youth international, has been one of the stars of the Socceroos’ surprise run to the knockout rounds.
“Messi has been one of the two standout players in the world [along with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo], and it will be a long time until we see their likes again.”But, for tonight , for 90 minutes, he’s just one of the players we have to face.”
Messi has scored twice at this World Cup before seeing a penalty saved against Poland.
Source :Ajesiwor Wilberforce
