Lionel Messi has admitted he still has one dream left to fulfil as he aims to help Argentina (13/8 top South American team) win their first world title since 1986.
The 22-year-old world player of the year will be one of the stars on show at this year’s tournament in South Africa having enjoyed a remarkable four years since Germany 2006.
Since then, Messi has become a super star, helping Barcelona to countless domestic and European prizes as he firmly established himself amongst the world’s elite.
Despite having won the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and La Liga, Messi says he is still as hungry as ever for success, especially when it comes to the World Cup.
The diminutive forward, nicknamed the flea in Spain, is likely to be leading the line for Argentina (13/2 World Cup winners) when the tournament kicks off.
La Albiceleste’s coach Diego Maradona is likely to start with three up front, with Messi to be paired with two of Diego Milito, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain or Sergio Aguero.
While Messi is expected to start, there had been points in qualifying where Argentinean’s were calling for Messi to be dropped from the side after he failed to replicate his club form at international level.
While Messi has failed to shed any light on why he hasn’t been able to sparkle on the world stage for Argentina, there are those who believe the forward has fallen out with Maradona, which has affected his form for the South American nation.
Despite the problems in qualifying Messi had to endure, he is still full of confidence that he will be able to steer Argentina to world glory.
“The qualifiers are behind us now,” he says. “For one reason or another we found it tough and we had to put a lot of hard work in. This is totally different, though. Argentina are always going to be one of the favourites.
“We’ve got some fantastic players and we are a great national team that’s always right in there competing for trophies.”
Argentinean supporters will expect their nation to cruise through their group having been drawn alongside Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.
Despite being the heavy favourites to top the group, Messi (10/1 to be World Cup top goalscorer) is taking nothing for granted and believes it will be tough going.
“There are no pushovers in the World Cup. I saw Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations and they are a typical African team with good and physically strong players. We played Côte d’Ivoire in Germany and they [Nigeria] will be a similar proposition,” he added.
“I haven’t seen much of Korea Republic and Greece but to win games, you have to go out and play them. We have confidence in our ability, though, and we feel we can get through the group comfortably enough.”
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