Wuilker Farinez, the goalkeeper that has never conceded against Messi

Argentina and Venezuela will face off in Rio in a tighter clash than it may seem on paper. The last meeting between the two came back in March, at the Wanda Metropolitano, as Venezuela won 3-1 on Lionel Messi's return to the Albiceleste.

Wuilker Farinez was between the sticks for Venezuela on that day and if he can again prevent Messi and his teammates from scoring at the Maracana, he will become a national hero.

The goalkeeper is just 21 years old and has been one of the revelations of the Copa America, particularly after his four saves in the 0-0 draw against Peru and his clean sheet against Brazil, both in the group stages. Farinez plays for Millonarios in Colombia, but his performances throughout the tournament will have caught the eye of some European scouts.

He measures at just 1.8 metres, short given the average height of goalkeepers nowadays, and that is just five centimetres less than his idol, Iker Casillas, whom he is hoping to meet one day.

The Venezuela goalkeeper hopes to become a national hero on Thursday night by stopping Messi and his Argentina teammates. Curiously enough, on the two occasions the Barcelona captain has gone up against Farinez, he has failed to score.

"Going up against Leo is a challenge for everyone," Farinez confessed after Venezuela and Argentina's clash at the Wanda in March. On that occasion, the Albiceleste lost and Messi was unable to find the back of the net. The other time the two faced off was in a qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup as they drew 1-1 at El Monumental in Buenos Aires, with Messi starting but not able to score.

Farinez will be looking to make it three games out of three in which he hasn't conceded against Messi. It's going to be a challenge for one of the Copa America's best goalkeepers.