- Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho speaks ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia
- The 21-year-old striker is excited by the chance to represent his country this summer
- Iheanacho is also looking forward to facing Argentina forward Lionel Messi
The 21-year-old, speaking on the back of his maiden season with Leicester City, could join Foxes team-mates Wilfred Ndidi and Ahmed Musa in Russia later this summer.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group D alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia, a tough environment for any side wishing to qualify for the Round of 16, starting in late June.
“Right from when I was little, I always had this dream of playing for country,” Iheanacho, a part of Nigeria's preliminary squad, told LCFC TV last month.
“Of course, I worked hard to get to that place but I think I will always have this dream of playing for my country and wearing the green, white, green and it feels good for me.
“I love it so I’m proud to be playing for my country and to wear the green, white, green so it’s something everyone wishes to do, to play for their country.”
Iheanacho could come up against five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi, in the group stage, a prospect which understandably excites Leicester City’s No.8.
“I’ve had the opportunity to train with him when I was at the [Manchester] City Academy and he is something else,” Iheanacho continued.
“I hope we get something against them and he’s going to play, so it’s going to be something good, a memory to play against Messi. He’s one of my idols so I look up to him.
“He’s so many people’s idol in the world so he’s a player you like to play with, to learn something, of course, so I will be happy to play against him.
“Of course, after 90 minutes, we’ll see what happens and hopefully we’ll get something.”
Iheanacho knows that it is not just Argentina who will pose a threat to their chances of qualification from a group he claims could be the “most difficult” pool in the tournament.
He added: “It’s a difficult group, I think the most difficult if you ask me, but people will think it is not the most difficult.
“It’s going to be a difficult group because all the countries are strong and trying to get something as well.
“The countries, they are not messing around, they are strong countries so everyone will be strong and looking to get points to go through to the next round.”