Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has cast doubt on Lionel Messi’s incredible stamina after the Argentina skipper inspired his side to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi scored as the holders came from two goals down in Tuesday’s last-16 clash. Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico had put Egypt in control but Cristian Romero and Enzo Fernandez completed the comeback.
“I still can’t believe the guy can still produce decisive performances in a tournament that is physically and mentally demanding,” Mikel told Fox Sports after the match.
“Argentina are having another tough game, where they have been pushed to the limit. “How much has Messi played, how much has been taken away from him mentally, psychologically, physically as well,” Obi Mikel said.
“That’s going to be the question as well, how much can he give again to be able to drag this Argentina team once again to another semi-final.
“That’s going to be the question, but when you have Messi, I don’t know what the guy is eating. I don’t know what he eats, because every time you think it’s finished, he comes up with something spectacular.”
Another former Sweden striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, also heaped praise on Messi but said the rest of the Argentina squad needed to take more responsibility as the tournament approaches its decisive stage.
Former AC Milan and Manchester United forward believes Argentina cannot continue to rely on their captain if they want to hold on to the World Cup title.
If I have to be a little bit critical, his [Messi’s] teammates need to step it up and also help him because he has been on another level,” Ibrahimovic said of Messi.
‘If he can carry on and bring it all the way to the final and really take the final pieces. “We won’t be shocked but he needs help to be fair.”
Argentina’s comeback win was reported to have booked them a place in the last eight, where they will face Switzerland at 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 12.