An Argentine man who was kidnapped in Nigeria has reportedly revealed that mentioning Lionel Messi's name 'saved his life'.

Santiago Lopez Menendez, 28, is believed to have been taken by captors earlier this week after spending almost a year working close to Kontagora as an agricultural engineer.

It has been claimed that Menendez was beaten by men who spoke very little English and believed that their victim was from North America.

However, Menendez apparently proved that he was from Argentina by screaming "Messi, Messi, Messi," and was released by his captors after three days when the worker's company paid a ransom.

The victim's brother Jorge told Clarin: "'Tell them I am grateful to Messi', he told me. 'Naming him is what saved me.'"

Menendez is believed to have now returned to Argentina.