DOHA: Australia will put their bodies on the line to stop Lionel Messi and spring a surprise against Argentina in the World Cup last 16, tough-tackling Milos Degenek warned on Thursday.
The defender, who made his World Cup debut in Australia’s 1-0 group win over Denmark on Wednesday, said Messi is his hero but all sentiments will be thrown aside when they meet on Saturday. “You know I have always loved Messi, I think he is the greatest to have played the game,” said the 28-year-old.
But he added: “It’s not an honor to play against him because he is just a human, as we all are. It is an honor to be in the round of 16 of a World Cup.
That is the honor in itself.” Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan has kept two clean sheets in a row in successive 1-0 victories to take the Socceroos into the knockouts for only the second time in their history.