Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has selected Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and former Chelsea dazzler Eden Hazard as the best players he has faced in his career.

The Nath Boys product played against Lionel Messi at last year's World Cup and came up against Hazard, who is now at Real Madrid, on five occasions while the Belgian was playing in England, including four times in the English Premier League.

"The player I admire the most in my position is Mikel and the best players I've ever played against I'll say Messi and Hazard. Hazard is very difficult," Ndidi said in an Instagram conversation with the Super Eagles Media Team monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com on Saturday.

"I have always admired Mikel growing up."

When asked on the fastest players he's played with, Ndidi responded, ''Vardy or Musa. Musa is really fast'.

Ndidi also touched on the Super Eagles 2-1 loss to Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, saying he was disappointed that they were unable to hold on for a draw that would have seen them qualify to the round of 16.

"It was there for us to get things right and move to the next round, it was really painful because the goal they scored came late and we had the chance to defend but everything happens for a reason because we are a young team, we learn.

"We shouldn't keep saying we are a young team and not trying to win laurels because those opportunities might not come again.

"Preparing for the World Cup again we have to start from the scratch and playing others who want to qualify. It was a good experience overall at the World Cup."

Qualifying for the 2018 World Cup following the win against Zambia in Uyo and beating Iceland 2-0 in Russia are his best two moments as a Super Eagles player.

Ndidi revealed that he was really sad when his teammate Kelechi Iheanacho missed out on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations roster.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel