Manchester United's Argentina international Sergio Romero has affirmed that La Albiceleste will continue depending on their inspirational captain Lionel Messi simply because he is the best player in the world.

The Barcelona number ten was not in the squads that lost 4-1 and 4-2 to the Nigerian national team in international friendlies in 2011 and 2017 respectively and Argentina tend to play badly and without direction when the striker is not available for selection due to injury or suspension.

''We will be dependent on Messi all our lives because he is the best and we know that at any moment we can win a game, '' Romero told TyC Sports.

''It does not matter if they criticize us for that, or that we play badly.

''We accepted those criticisms, but this last time they said regrettable things, there was disrespect to the team, despite that, we kept moving forward and qualified for the World Cup.''

Sergio Romero has been in between the pipes for the Argentinian national team in three matches against Nigeria and has conceded three goals.

Igho Kingsley