"If the coach lets me play in the starting line-up and I'll play in my position, then, of course, I will often come into contact with Messi. I know his level of play well, and I watched a lot of his matches. I will try to do everything to stop him," Badelj told journalists.

Croatia started the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Nigeria on Saturday. They will face Argentina in a Group D match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Thursday.