'Messi is from Jupiter'

Lionel Messi’s man-of-the-match double goal performance in Argentina’s 3-2 win over Nigeria on Wednesday prompted the African champions’ coach Stephen Keshi to suggest the star striker had flown in from “Jupiter”.

The Barcelona superstar joined Brazil’s Neymar at the top of the World Cup scoring charts on four with a goal in the third minute and another, a superbly struck free-kick, in first half stoppage time.

These came on top of his match-winning strikes against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran.

“Messi is one heck of a player, he’s blessed,” Keshi acknowledged after seeing his side lose but still qualify for the last 16 as runners-up in Group F. “There are other calibre players in Argentina that are very strong, but Messi is from Jupiter,” Keshi told a post-match press conference.

Messi, who enjoyed friendly banter with Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama during the game, said he was just happy he and his teammates had achieved their objective of qualifying.

“We hope to continue like this, I think today you saw a better Argentina,” he said.

“I’m happy at what we’ve done so far and to finish top of the group,” said the Argetina captain.