Argentina fans don't just love Lionel Messi. They adore him.
And just a day after his 27th birthday the Barcelona star gave another master-class with a deadly double that's turning this World Cup into Messi v Neymar.
Messi's brilliant two first half goals took El Enano – The Little Man - level on four goals with his Brazilian rival in the race for the Golden Boot.
The double took his tally to ten goals in his last eight internationals – and signaled Messi is primed and ready to create more havoc in the knock-out stage after Argentina topped Group F.
Messi is having a magical World Cup with the big prize beckoning in the Maracana on July 13.
And if he keeps this going who can stop him?
Said Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi later: "Messi is one hell of a player. You can't take it away from him. He is from Jupiter. He is different.”
The Argentina captain left to a rapturous ovation after 62 minutes – but by then he'd scored a third minute cracker and a free kick of stunning brilliance on the stroke of half time.
But fair play to Nigeria for refusing to surrender and Keshi can be proud his stars for standing up to Argentina's superior individual skill.
And they had their own two goal hero too in Ahmed Musa who rocked Argentina with equalisers and very nearly claimed a third.
Argentina's defence is a worry at times – but when you have Messi it's not a problem.
Argentina's travelling hordes made Porto Alegre almost a home game yesterday – and the man they came to see gloriously owned the first 45 minutes.
In South Africa four years ago the two sides met at the group stage as well.
And although Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama kept Messi out that day with a series of great saves in a narrow 1-0 Argentina win, this time he wasn't so lucky.
With less than three minutes gone Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago threaded a pass to Angel Di Maria who burst forward and let fly with a vicious low drive which rammed against the post.
The ball bounced back on to Lille keeper Enyeama, on to the post again and spun out for Messi to blast home.
Messi's joy was initially short lived as seconds later the Super Eagles hit back with a devastating reply equal to the quality of Argentina's opener.
Injury jinxed Sergio Aguero, who limped off after 37 minutes, stumbled over the ball in midfield and Nigeria midfielder Michael Babatunde sped at Argentina's back four.
Musa took the pass and stepped inside Manchester City star Pablo Zabaleta before curling a beauty inside the far post.
It was a breathtaking start – and it made World Cup history with two teams scoring in the opening five minutes for the first time ever at the finals.
To their credit, Nigeria didn't buckle when Argentina hit back and Enyeama did well to field a super low striker from Di Maria.
With 43 minutes gone the African keeper acrobatically clawed away a 25 yard Messi free kick.
For Messi, though, it was merely a reccy mission for the real deal on the stroke of half time.
Joseph Yobo fouled Messi 10 yards outside the box for a free kick in a more central position.
And this time he made no mistake with Enyeama not even diving as the ball curled high into the top corner.
It was a flash of brilliance that electrified Argentina's fans – but still Nigeria wouldn't lie down.
Just two minutes after the re-start Musa banged in a second equaliser from a cute pass by Emenike, steering his shot past Romero.
Argentina's eventual 50th minute winner didn't have the quality of Messi's double.
But Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo was just as ecstatic even though the ball bounced off his knee from Lavezzi's 50th minute corner.
Both sides could have added more with Lavezzi forcing a good save from Enyeama after a cute Di Maria free kick.
And Nigeria might have grabbed a third equaliser if not for a brilliant tackle by Zabaleta as Musa shaped to bag his hat trick.
In the end it didn't matter as Bosnia's win over Iran meant Nigeria progress.