Pressure on Messi as his nation expects

Messi has been to three tournaments already. The final defeat of 2014, when Mario Gotze scored in extra-time for Germany, followed two quarter-final exits in 2006 and 2010 against the same opponents.

In that time, he has become a lightning rod for a country’s deep-rooted frustration.

And that angst will only increase if Argentina fall short again in Russia. This is far from a vintage side, one that almost didn’t qualify, but for a oneman rescue act from — who else? — Messi.

His hat-trick in the final qualifier against Ecuador, amid the high pressure and high altitude of Quito last November, saw them scrape through.

Yet they arrive in Russia in a troubled state.

The chaotic last-minute cancellation of a friendly against Israel in Jerusalem last weekend disrupted preparation.

A second friendly against Nicaragua was also called off amid safety concerns, meaning their only warm-up was a 4-0 win over Haiti.

It is hardly ideal build-up for an awkward group which, after a tricky opener against Iceland, brings games against Croatia and Nigeria, who beat them 4-2 in a friendly last November.

Injury has ruled out their first-choice goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, and forward Manuel Lanzini.

Argentina also have the oldest squad of the 32 teams — at an average 29 years and six months — which will test Sampaoli’s high-pressing tactics.

So too a likely back line of Nicolas Otamendi, Javier Mascherano and Marcos Rojo.

It is a defence that lacks the quality of an impressive forward line, featuring Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, with 68 international goals between them.

Angel di Maria and Paulo Dybala bring creativity. But it is Messi who holds the key to Argentina’s World Cup fortunes, and to whom a nation looks once again.

No pressure then. Meanwhile, Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson (below) has labelled his side’s World Cup opener against Argentina “the biggest game in the history of Icelandic football”.

The World Cup debutants, who inflicted a humiliating defeat on England in the last 16 at Euro 2016, will come up against Messi and co in Moscow in their first Group D clash.

And Hallgrimsson and his staff have a “headache” ahead of the game, with every player in the squad keen to face the two-time world champi

ons.

He said: “Everyone wants to play.

“This is the biggest game in the history of Icelandic football and it’s a headache which our training team has to work on.”

In a bid to prevent questions about his other job, Hallgrimsson added: “I am still a dentist and I will never stop being a dentist.”