Australia coach wants ‘great performance’ to stop Messi in Beijing

(FILES) Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Clermont Foot 63 at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on June 3, 2023. – Argentina’s reigning world champion Lionel Messi, 35, said in an interview with a Chinese media outlet broadcast on June 13, 2023, that he does not “think” he will be taking part in the next World Cup in 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Australia said Wednesday they have maximum respect for Lionel Messi but will do everything they can to stop him when they meet Argentina in a Beijing friendly.

The two sides clash in the Chinese capital on Thursday in a re-run of their last-16 clash at the World Cup, where skipper Messi scored and terrorised the Socceroos in a 2-1 win.

Messi and Argentina went on to win the World Cup.

“Regarding Lionel Messi, how could you not respect someone who’s done what he’s done in football?” Australia coach Graham Arnold told reporters at the 68,000-capacity Workers’ Stadium.

“Of course we respect him, but at the same time we’re looking to stop him and make sure our focus is on our performance, make sure that we get out there and play right, and put in a great performance against the world champions.”

The 35-year-old Messi said last week that he will join MLS side Inter Miami following the end of his two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain.

Tickets for Thursday’s game have sold out rapidly despite soaring prices, with Chinese fans desperate to see Messi in the flesh.

Arnold, who said Australia had “learned lessons” from their loss to Argentina in Qatar last winter, has taken a young squad to China after numerous players were ruled out with injury.

“We have a younger squad of players here,