John Mikel Obi has admitted his disappointment after failing to finally get one over Lionel Messi at the death as Nigeria lost 2-1 against Argentina.
The South Americans dumped the Super Eagles out of the World Cup courtesy of a dramatic late volley from Marcos Rojo. The result saw Nigeria finish third and Argentina progress in second
Nigeria had seemed to be going through from Group D after Victor Moses equalised from the penalty spot to cancel out Messi's brilliant opener
Mikel and Messi have a history. The Barcelona forward pushed Argentina to victory in the 2005 Under 20-World Cup final ahead of Nigeria, who Mikel represented.
And at the 2010 — when Mikel did not play — and 2014 World Cup finals, Messi helped Argentina down Nigeria.
While Mikel insisted it was not a private battle between himself and the 31-year-old, he admitted missing out on a chance to beat him was disappointing.
'I'm sad because I think it was the moment I came so close to getting one,' Mikel said.
'It's not a competition between me and him. I just felt that this time we almost came through and it would have been amazing for us to go through.
'Once again, luck was on his side and he managed to come through again.'
Despite Argentina's struggles, former Chelsea midfielder Mikel also thinks Tuesday's winners will do well in the rest of the tournament.
'They have a great team,' he said. 'I think they are going to do well. I think now they've gone to the next round they will be more relaxed, they will play better football.
'I think they are a great side but we managed to keep them quiet, we managed to do our job and I am so happy and so proud of the boys. We have to keep going.'