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Cape Town - Sibusiso Vilakazi says the Mamelodi Sundowns camp is looking forward to the high profile international friendly match against Spanish champions Barcelona.
The Brazilians confirmed on Thursday that they will host the La Liga giants at FNB Stadium on May 16 in a match that is part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations.
This will be the second time that Sundowns have brought Barcelona to South Africa having hosted them in 2007.
Vilakazi admitted that it will be a dream come true coming up against his idol, Lionel Messi, but is confident they will give the newly-crowned La Liga champions a run for their money.
“It going to be a very big, big game because they come with the consistency of not losing a game in the Spanish La Liga this season," Vilakazi told SuperSport.
“So that has grown with them and they won’t want to lose to us.
“But at the same time we as Sundowns, I think we are looking forward to the game and I know that on a day we can do anything.
“I know that given the platform and the freedom by our coach, we can do anything and we can expect to surprise ourselves, but I think we can.”
‘Vila,’ as the former Premiership Player of the year is affectionately known, said he has always modelled his game on Messi and it is going to be a proud moment coming up against the Argentine superstar.
Vilakazi added: "I hope I won’t freeze, seriously. I mean, he is amazing; he is one person I have looked at and admired. I think he is quite an inspiration not for only me but even the young ones.
“Watching him while still playing and then you ask yourself, I have the talent as well, but obviously he is got more talent than mine because God has given us in different ways. But I still admire him and take some of the things he does in the field of play.”
