Argentina future depends on Cup, says Messi
BRONNITSY: Argentina captain Lionel Messi said his international future will be determined by his country’s performance at the World Cup in Russia.
“It will depend on how far we go, how we’re going to finish” at the finals, Messi said in an interview with Spanish daily Sport.
“We’ve just lost three finals in a row, which has led to us going through some difficult moments with the press,” added the Barcelona forward.
“Notably with the Argentine press because we have differences of opinion over what it means to make these three finals.”
Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final 1-0 to Germany after extra time, before suffering successive defeats by Chile on penalties at the Copa America in 2015 and 2016.
Messi, who will turn 31 during the World Cup, believes Spain, Brazil, Germany, France and Belgium are the leading contenders for the title.
“There are lots of teams who arrive with lots of confidence, with both a team game and individual talents,” said the fivetime world player of the year.
Argentina launch their World Cup campaign against Iceland on Saturday in Moscow, with games to follow against Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.
NEYMAR’S MILESTONE
Neymar had the “great honour” to go level with Brazil great Romario on 55 international goals in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Austria, saying it allowed him to pay tribute to the former striker.
The Paris Saint-germain star has enjoyed a seamless return to football after three months out with a broken foot, which he suffered in action for PSG back in February.
He came back in the 2-0 friendly victory over Croatia on June 4 and scored a brilliant goal, evading a couple of challenges before blasting in off the crossbar.
The 26-year-old then started in Vienna on Sunday, scoring Brazil’s second in the straightforward win, of which he played 84 minutes.
His goal took him on to 55 from 85 caps and he was proud to move level with Romario as Brazil’s third highest scorer, leaving him 22 behind record-holder Pele.
Speaking to reporters, Neymar said: “For me it is a great honour, great happiness to reach Romario, to be among the top scorers of the Brazilian team.
“I wanted to pay homage to him in some way because he is an idol. Like I said last week, I do not want to be better than anyone, just myself.
“So it was a way to pay tribute, because he is an idol, not just to me, but all Brazilians.”
Gabriel Jesus got the scoring started against Austria and in doing so probably made sure of a starting place ahead of Roberto Firmino in Brazil’s World Cup opener against Switzerland next Sunday.
Though the Manchester City star is adamant whoever leads the line will show just why coach Tite has faith.
“This is Brazil,” he said. “We have great players, we are all prepared.
“Whoever Tite chooses will show why they are here. We played another game and we proved to ourselves that we are ready for the World Cup.”