"The goalkeeper was phenomenal," Messi said after Argentina were limited to a 1-0 win over Nigeria at Ellis Park with Enyeama producing a series of tremendous saves to thwart the world player of the year.
GEAR:Check out Argentina's WC kits
"He takes all the credit. We played a great game today and created a lot of chances. We just couldn't get the second goal."
Enyeama said he needed to put on the performance of his life to deny Messi a first goal at the tournament.
"It would be my best possible performance possible performance playing against the best possible player in the world, so it was my best," Enyeama told a news conference after he was named man of the match.
Asked how he had "God is my secret, just God. He made me calm and he made me quiet."
NEWS:Heinze header defeats Nigeria
Argentina's winner came from a corner which followed a superb Messi chip which Enyeama had palmed over.
Midway through the first half, in a trademark cut inside from the right, the little ace hit a curling shot to the far corner only for Enyeama to dive and turn the ball away.
Messi threatened again near the end of the half when he curled a lovely shot towards Enyeama's top right corner with the keeper again leaping to tip the ball wide.
And shortly before the end Enyeama denied Messi once more, blocking a close range shot after the Argentine forward found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
