Man United defender Marcos Rojo says Argentina are motivated by desire to make amends for 2014 World Cup disappointment as they head to Russia
- Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final at the Maracana
- Defender Marcos Rojo says the squad are motivated to make amends in Russia
- Argentina have been drawn with Nigeria, Iceland and Croatia in their group
Argentina players will do everything in their power in Russia to help the team lift the World Cup trophy again after falling at the last hurdle four years ago in Brazil, defender Marcos Rojo has said.
The 28-year-old Manchester United centre-back, capped 56 times by Argentina, and his team-mates suffered a last-gasp 1-0 defeat by Germany in the 2014 final.
'It's a really important thing and a big deal for any Argentinian to wear that shirt,' Rojo told United's official website. 'We really feel the shirt a lot and we defend our colours.
Marcos Rojo speaks with Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli during training on Tuesday
Rojo, the Manchester United centre-half, is determined to atone for the 2014 disappointment
'We give everything when we are wearing it and we want payback for the way things happened at the last World Cup.
'We will do everything to give our fans the possibility to celebrate winning the trophy again.'
Rojo will face Nigeria in the World Cup group stage, a team he scored his first international goal against in the 2014 World Cup.
Croatia and Iceland are their other two opponents in Group D and Rojo feels Argentina's progress in the tournament would depend on Lionel Messi's goalscoring abilities.
Germany's Mario Gotze scores the winner as they defeated Argentina in the 2014 final
Argentina fans react with dismay as Germany score their winner during the 2014 final
'It's Nigeria again!' he said. 'I think it's three or four times now we've been drawn with Nigeria and it will be a difficult group. Croatia and Iceland are in there too.
'Hopefully, Lionel Messi will be in form and can do something for us.'
Argentina have cancelled their final World Cup warm-up match against Israel, as the political pressure grew ahead of Saturday's scheduled fixture in Jerusalem.
They will kick off their World Cup campaign in Russia against Iceland on June 16.
Most watched Sport videos
- Shocking moment Texans star Tank Dell is caught in club shooting
- Paul Kent smiles as he returns home from being hospitalised
- Jude Bellingham tries to put Harry Kane off before his penalty
- Ginola, Souness and more support Every Minute Matters campaign
- Stormzy shares a drone tour of his Merky FC HQ
- Mets hot-dog hero gets kicked out of CitiField
- Jack Grealish and Leah Williamson team up in new Pepsi campaign
- Phil Gould goes nuclear at 'stupid' NRL rule changes
- Buffalo Bills Keon Coleman impersonates the Undertaker from WWE
- The model and influencer daughter of ex-La Liga boss
- Footy fan's comeback whilst abused on a train after game
- Graeme Souness hits out at Liverpool after their late season collapse