FIFA World Cup: Lionel Messi Says His Argentina Future Depends On World Cup

Argentina football star and captain Lionel Messi has said his international future will be determined by his country's performance at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Argentina are placed alongside Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria in Group D. 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.

"It will depend on how far we go, how we're going to finish," 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," he said.

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 five-time 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.

Messi has won everything at club level with Barcelona but is still without a Copa America or World Cup winners medal having finished on the losing side in three Copa finals and in the 2014 World Cup final.

Argentina have won the World Cup twice - 1978 and 1986.

(With AFP inputs)

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Argentina Lionel Messi 2018 FIFA World Cup Football