Idowu wants to send Argentina packing

Nigeria must make sure Tuesday's match against Argentina in St Petersburg is Lionel Messi's last at a World Cup, says full-back Brian Idowu.

Argentina's campaign in Russia is veering close to implosion after Messi missed a penalty in their opening 1-1 draw against Iceland and Croatia made the most of an abject display from Jorge Sampaoli's side to run out 3-0 winners, securing safe passage from Group D.

La Albiceleste can only do likewise by beating Nigeria, who lost to Croatia 2-0 but bounced back in style to see off Iceland by the same scoreline.

Reports of a mutinous atmosphere in the Argentina camp have dominated the build-up but, by contrast, Idowu put the Super Eagles' aim in simple, uncomplicated terms.

"That would be our main goal – to make it his last World Cup game," he told a pre-match news conference when asked about possibly bringing down the curtain on Messi's career on the grandest stage.

"As much as we love to watch Messi play, he is playing against us so we only have one option.

"Of course, I would like to swap shirts with him but there are a lot of players I would like to swap shirts with in the Argentina side."

Argentina and Nigeria are familiar World Cup rivals.

The African nation have been on the losing end in each of their previous four group-stage meetings – the first coming in 1994. Rohr's men won a friendly between the countries in Krasnodar last November, although Messi was absent on that occasion.

This match marks a homecoming for St Petersburg-born Idowu, who has spent his career playing in Russian league football.

"I feel amazing. I saw my parents yesterday and today I met my best friend. I feel the support the people are showing me here," he added.

"I'm excited. Hopefully I'm going to give back to them and the Nigerian fans if I get chance to play tomorrow."