Rather than being intimidated, it would appear that Iceland were positively thrilled at the prospect of making their World Cup debut against Argentina in Group D next summer.
Indeed, Iceland right-back Diego Johannesson has warned Lionel Messi to prepare himself for an onslaught when the two teams meet in Moscow on June. 16 -- if only because the Barcelona star is going to have to bring an awful lot of souvenirs with him.
Johannesson, who was born in Spain and plays for Real Oviedo, has instructed Messi to bring 23 replica shirts with him to the match, one for each of the Iceland squad.
"All the players will want Messi's jersey and I'm one of them," he told Argentinian sports daily Ole.
"He probably will give it to the one that asks first. We are not going to fight over it so I suggest he goes ahead and prepares 23 jerseys for the whole team.
"We are happy to face him as he is the best player in the world."