Nigeria international Calvin Bassey has shared how a magical moment by Lionel Messi inspired his decision to play for the Super Eagles instead of the England national team.
“When Nigeria played Argentina, they lost 2-1, but it was a good game,” Bassey told Sky Sports.
“Messi, of course—Messi is Messi, isn’t he—he scored that incredible goal. I think it was knee, left foot, then right foot. It was brilliant.
“But that gave me even more motivation to play for Nigeria and perform on the big stage.”
The Fulham defender was born in Italy to Nigerian parents but moved to England as a child, growing up in Newham. Eligible to represent Nigeria, England, or even Kenya, Bassey ultimately committed to the three-time African champions in 2021, accepting a call-up for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and making his debut in a goalless draw against arch-rival Ghana.
However, Bassey, now 24, revealed he made his decision during Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup match against Argentina. At the time, Bassey was a youth player at Leicester City and was captivated watching Nigeria’s last group-stage game against the South Americans, which saw Messi’s brilliance on full display.
The Super Eagles needed a draw to advance to the knockout stages, but Argentina, spurred by the Barcelona icon, clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory, with Messi scoring the opener in remarkable style. Messi received a long pass with a sublime touch on his knee, nudged it past his marker with his left foot, and then unleashed a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. Although Nigeria ultimately lost, Bassey was deeply moved by the team’s resilience, and it was at that moment he resolved to play for the Super Eagles.
Since his debut in 2022, Bassey has become a vital player for Nigeria, helping the team reach the AFCON final earlier this year, where they earned a silver medal. To date, he has made 28 appearances for the 2013 AFCON champions.