Argentina will shortly kick-off against Nigeria in what is an extremely important match for the national team.

La Albiceleste must win if they are to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

But based on what we’ve seen from Argentina in their opening two matches, that cannot be guaranteed.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side have picked up just one point and appear bereft of ideas right now.

Lionel Messi hasn’t been at his scintillating best but an entire nation will still look for one more magical performance from him.

Given that he retired from international football after the defeat to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final, what’s to say Messi won’t do the same thing if Argentina fail to beat Nigeria?

It would be an almighty shame if Messi was to retire without winning the World Cup or Copa America, but you can see why he would do so considering the pressure he is constantly under.

Zabaleta's dressing room insight

Former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta, who played in the 2014 final defeat to Germany, has shared some insight into what the dressing room will be like before kick-off.

“I know what the build-up will be like,” Zabaleta said in his column for BBC Sport.

“Sergio Aguero will make sure the right music is there for everyone. We always listen to cumbia, a traditional Argentine music, before the game.

“It is similar to reggaeton because it brings happiness and the players love it, especially in the dressing room.

“That was what worked for us in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup."

Zabaleta continued: “In the dressing room, Javier Mascherano is the real leader. He is the one who is making the noise and speaking to everyone.

“But Leo brings calmness.

“Leo is quiet and a person who does not talk much - but, of course, he is Messi.

“Whenever I looked around the Argentina dressing room before a game, I always had the confidence I had the best player in the world on my team.

“In the moments before the game against Nigeria, the young players in the Argentina squad who are at their first World Cup will need to know they can follow these guys.”

Aguero will have to find music that lifts his own spirits - he has been dropped from the starting line-up.