- Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama makes Mauritania debut against Argentina tonight at La Bombonera.
- Gassama briefly shared the pitch with Messi at PSG in 2022.
- Mauritanian coach Aritz Lopez Garai praises Gassama but warns Messi is “unstoppable.”
Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama is set to face off against World Cup holders Argentina tonight at La Bombonera.
He is expecting to make his Mauritania debut against the South American giants in a friendly match.
After rejecting a call up in 2024 he was accused by then manager Amir Abdou of being “reluctant to join the national team” but has now accepted the call from his replacement Aritz Lopez Garai.
Djeidi Gassama set for dream debut
The Spanish coach has claimed this match will be “an unforgettable day” for Mauritanian football.
Lopez Garai also claimed that Messi “is unstoppable.”
He expanded on this saying he believes that “every coach in the world has tried to come up with something to contain him.
“The only way is when he retires. I played against him and I know for sure: he is the best player in the world now and over recent years – by a wide margin.”
Teammates become rivals
The former Sheffield Wednesday favourite started his career in the French capitol.
Les Parisiens won that match thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Argentine duo Messi and Angel Di Maria.
This match means that tonight’s encounter is not the first time he has shared a pitch with Messi.
While the latter has since retired from international duty, the Barcelona legend is expected to start and captain Argentina tonight.
Gassama came on as a final minute substitute for Di Maria in that Ligue 1 match.
Messi played the full 90, meaning, just for a brief moment, the duo were teammates.
Read Rangers analysis
Now the Rangers attacker will test himself on the opposing team from a man regarded as the greatest ever.
Rangers supporters with access can watch on and see how their frustrating winger handles the occasion on BeIN Sports, with a 11.15pm kick off GMT.
