Fulham star Calvin Bassey has described the magical Lionel Messi moment that convinced him to play international football for three-time African champions Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
Born in Italy to Nigerian parents but raised in England, Bassey could have represented any of the three football-crazy nations.
However, he was still finding his feet in the Leicester City under-age teams when Nigeria's Super Eagles arrived in Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria's last group game was against Argentina, with the African giants needing a draw to progress to the knockout round.
But Argentina secured a last-gasp 2-1 victory instead, with Messi scoring the opener with an excellent strike.
The Barcelona legend received a long ball over the top with a classic first touch on his knee, touched it past his marker with his left foot before smashing a right-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
Watching that Messi goal increased the love for Nigeria in Bassey's heart and it was the moment he decided he wanted to play on the big stage with the Super Eagles.
“When Nigeria played Argentina, they lost 2-1 but it was a good game,” Bassey told Sky Sports. “Messi, of course – Messi is Messi, innit – he scored that outrageous goal. I think it was knee, left foot, then right foot. It was top.
“But that was more of motivation to me to want to play for Nigeria and also play on the big stage.”
Bassey made his Super Eagles debut in 2022 and has earned 28 caps for the 2013 AFCON winners.
The 24-year-old was a key member of the Super Eagles squad that reached the final of the AFCON earlier this year, winning a silver medal.
Bassey, alongside his international teammates, were awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger – one of the highest honours in the land – by the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his contributions at the tournament.
