Premier League star Calvin Bassey has revealed how watching that Lionel Messi goal against Nigeria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup increased his love for Nigeria in his heart and it was the moment he decided to represent the country on the international stage.
The 24-year-old made his international debut for the Super Eagles in 2022 as a 22-year-old, despite his eligibility to play for both England and Italy.
Bassey, born to Nigerian parents in Italy waa raised in England and at the time was in the United Kingdom, learning his trade in the Academy of former Premier League winners, Leicester City.
The Premier League star, who won the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers in 2021 under the watch of Steven Gerrard has revealed Lionel Messi goal fueled his love for Nigeria.
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Premier League star Calvin Bassey on the moment he choose Nigeria
“When Nigeria played Argentina, they lost 2-1 but it was a good game,” Bassey told Sky Sports. “Messi, of course – Messi is Messi, innit – he scored that outrageous goal. I think it was knee, left foot, then right foot. It was top.
“But that was more of motivation to me to want to play for Nigeria and also play on the big stage.”
The Lionel Messi goal eventually sent Nigeria packing from the tournament in Russia, but Bassey, who was inspired on the night has now won 28 caps with the Super Eagles, and is a mainstay in the team.
The former Ajax defender, who now plays for Fulham in the Premier League was part of the squad that reached the AFCON final earlier in the year, winning the silver medal and also awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger – one of the highest honours in the land – by the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his contributions at the tournament.
