'We're going to beat Lionel Messi!' - Algeria star ready for Argentina
Algeria midfielder Ibrahim Maza is confident his side can defeat Lionel Messi and Argentina in their World Cup group stage opener.
The Algerian national team has arrived at its training base in Kansas City, Missouri, as the squad prepares for its first World Cup finals appearance since 2014. The team is gearing up for a challenging campaign in Group J, starting with a high-profile fixture against tournament favourites Argentina.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza has emerged as a key figure in Vladimir Petkovic’s tactical setup. Addressing the media, the 20-year-old expressed his readiness for the massive opening game scheduled for June 17, stating that the team must maintain focus despite the opposition's tendency to provoke.
We have to have a good World Cup, and the first match against Argentina will be very important. They provoke a lot, but we have to keep our calm, give it our all, play smart, and see what happens. We are going to beat Messi, Inshallah. Ibrahim Maza
The young prospect's comments have drawn significant attention from Argentine sports outlets following his rise to prominence after the 2025 AFCON. Having previously represented Germany at youth levels, Maza has quickly become an indispensable component for the Fennecs.
Petkovic’s side will wrap up their preparations with a friendly match against Bolivia before officially kicking off their group campaign. Following the clash with Argentina, Algeria is set to face Jordan and Austria. The team is looking to replicate or improve upon their historic 2014 performance, where they reached the knockout stages.