Back his bid joy in Russia

succession and lost is hink that, if we are not time, we will not have e.” superstar says he has game in a bid to help his lory. grow as a player, you hings differently on the d. “Before, I just used to l and play my way, but make the team play. the ball more and I am and selfish. Near the penalty area I always look for the best option.” Messi helped Argentina win the Under-20 World Cup in Holland in 2005 with a squad that also included Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta.

Three years later, he struck Olympic gold in Beijing with a squad that again featured Aguero and Zabaleta as well as Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Romero.

But the so-called Golden Generation have suffered at senior level.

Messi, named best young player at the 2007 Copa America, was powerless to prevent a 3-0 defeat to hosts Brazil in the final. An extra-time defeat to the Germans in 2014, was followed by successive penalty shootout losses to Chile in Copa America finals.

Messi, who has never quite hit his Barca heights when wearing an Argentina shirt, then briefly retired from international football when he missed a crucial spot-kick that helped the Chileans prevail in New York’s Metlife Stadium in the 2016 tournament.

But his desire to lead the Albiceleste to a title prompted a U-turn.

Messi said: “To win the World Cup is a dream that gets stronger with every tournament.

“We know it is difficult to win the World Cup – and to go so close in Brazil was very painful.

“My wish for the whole country is that we can reach the final, like we did four years ago – but this time end by lifting the trophy.

“You can do everything right and still not finish as champions. But we are going to Russia to win.”