Despite his pulsating display against Haiti and scoring a hat-trick on Tuesday night, Lionel Messi believes Argentina are not favourites to lift the World Cup in Russia this summer.
But while the Barcelona man was quick to talk down their chances, he did concede that the South Americans remain a ‘very good’ team as they eye their first World Cup title since Mexico 1986.
Diego Maradona stole the show at that tournament and the pressure is growing on 30-year-old Messi to deliver for the national team on the biggest stage.
‘I am very grateful to all the people, we always feel the affection of all, not like other times that we received insults,’ Messi, who took his international tally to 64 goals, told reporters.
‘We all go to Russia for the same reason, the World Cup is the dream of us, of the country. We are not candidates but we are very good, training and improving day by day.
‘We have good players and we are getting stronger to fight as an equal with anyone.’
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Jorge Sampaoli’s side will wrap up their pre-World Cup preparations against Israel on June 9 before switching attentions to Group D where they face Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria.
Messi was part of the side that reached the World Cup final in Brazil four years ago, only to be undone by Germany in extra time courtesy of Mario Gotze.
‘In a World Cup, logic is almost never given,’ Messi added. ‘We have to aim to win the first game, which is the most important because it will give us peace of mind.
‘Let no one have doubts that we are going to try everything, as people always ask us.
‘We are going with a great squad that is becoming strong at the team and individual level. We are facing a beautiful possibility and we are looking for that.’
