The Australia players have insisted they are not afraid of Lionel Messi as they prepare for their last-16 clash in the 2022 World Cup.

They, however, admitted their admiration for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Australia qualified thanks to a 1-0 win over Denmark.

The Socceroos will now take on Messi and co. on Saturday evening for a place in the quarterfinal.

“I always loved Messi, and I think he is the greatest to ever play the game."

“[But] it’s not an honor to play against him because he’s just a human, as we all are."

“It’s an honor to be in the round of 16 of a World Cup." "Whether we played Argentina or we’d have played against Poland, it still would have been an honor to represent Australia in the round of 16 of a World Cup,” defender Milos Degenek said.