In Argentina’s opening Group B clash against Nigeria, Lionel Messi put paid to any doubts that putting on the national team jersey somehow robs him of the genius that he displays so often in a Barcelona shirt.
The little imp was magnificent for Diego Maradona’s men and ran the show in a free role of sorts behind the front pairing of Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez.
Frequently, Messi found space to run at and terrorise the Nigerian defence and indeed the only thing missing from his performance was a goal thanks to an inspired performance by the Super Eagles’ keeper, Vincent Enyeama (pictured above).
When Gabriel Heinze powered a header to the top corner after only six minutes of Saturday afternoon’s encounter, you feared the worst for Lars Lagerback’s side. Over 20 attempts on goal later, however, Argentina had still only one goal to their name after Enyeama pulled off a series of remarkable saves, twice from Higuain and at least five times from Messi as the two seemed to be involved in a personal duel all of their own.
With a front three including Messi and Tevez and Argentina playing predominantly through the middle, there were little in the way of crosses to trouble Enyeama and he seemed uncomfortable on the few that did come into the area, but in terms of athleticism and shot stopping, his was a phenomenal performance.
Enyeama has kept goal for the Super Eagles since 2002 and currently plies his trade for Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv. He is highly regarded in Israel and not only for his goalkeeping skills; he scored nine penalties for the club last season and has scored 19 goals throughout his entire career.
Potential suitors – Arsenal
In the eyes of Arsenal fans, Arsene Wenger has kept faith with Manuel Almunia for too long. The Spaniard has been found wanting for the Gunners on numerous occasions since he replaced Jens Lehmann between the sticks and seems to save his biggest clangers for the big occasions.
His direct replacement, Lukasz Fabianski is no better. The Pole almost cost Arsenal a place in the Champions League quarter-finals after a disastrous performance away to Porto in the last sixteen, when he was directly responsible for the two goals Arsenal conceded, making errors that would be ridiculed in a  Sunday League game.
At only 27, Enyeama is young for a goalkeeper and will come a lot cheaper than the likes of Hugo Lloris or Igor Akinfeev, which will suit Wenger, the most frugal of the elite Premiership managers.
If he’s worried about his ability to cope with pressure, he shouldn’t. For God’s sake the man has lived in Tel-Aviv for the last three years.
