Netherlands ace Arjen Robben has dismissed the notion that Argentina are a one-man team, claiming that there is more to Alejandro Sabella's side than Lionel Messi
Arjen Robben and Lionel Messi.
Sao Paulo: Netherlands ace Arjen Robben has dismissed the notion that Argentina are a one-man team, claiming that there is more to Alejandro Sabella's side than Lionel Messi.
Taking Centrestage: Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben (centre) runs during a training session at Sao Paulo's Paulo Machado de Carvalho Stadium yesterday. Pic/AFP
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The Bayern Munich winger holds the Albiceleste attacker in the highest esteem but he does not feel that Oranje's World Cup semi-final opponents rely too heavily upon the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"Argentina have a huge player in him, true, but that does not mean that everything revolves only around Lionel Messi," Robben told reporters ahead of tonight's Last Four showdown in Sao Paulo.
Who's afraid of Messi?
Meanwhile, Netherlands centre-back Stefan de Vrij insisted that he is not in the least bit perturbed by the prospect of dealing with Messi.
"I'm not afraid of anyone," the defender told Algemeen Dagbald. "Not even Messi. I am especially focused on him, but I'm not afraid of him. In fact, I am very happy to play against him."
Netherlands are bidding to reach their second successive World Cup final, having been beaten 0-1 by Spain in the tournament decider in South Africa four years ago.
De Vrij's defensive partner Bruno Martins Indi insisted that Netherlands can beat Argentina today, stressing they must nullify the effect of Lionel Messi.
Nullifying Messi
"Argentina is still a very good team," the Dutch defender told NUSport.
"But Belgium also got some chances against them. I've watched that match.
"Every team has strong and weak points.
"We have to make sure that Messi doesn't get the ball."
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