ADVERTISEMENT

Messi says Argentina future depends on World Cup

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

"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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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 in Group D.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Top 5 African cities with the most unaffordable real estate in 2024

Top 5 African cities with the most unaffordable real estate in 2024

US says it is still engaged with West African juntas

US says it is still engaged with West African juntas

Opinion Piece: Accelerating sustainable development goals through better agricultural risk management

Opinion Piece: Accelerating sustainable development goals through better agricultural risk management

Zimbabwe is set to honor Russian victory with a monument

Zimbabwe is set to honor Russian victory with a monument

Top cross-border payment companies in Africa on recent global ranking

Top cross-border payment companies in Africa on recent global ranking

Studio Monkey in collaboration with Worldwide FM and Gilles Peterson launches initiative to support grassroot music communities

Studio Monkey in collaboration with Worldwide FM and Gilles Peterson launches initiative to support grassroot music communities

NexaScale marks one-year milestone with visionary initiatives empowering Africa's youth for the future of work

NexaScale marks one-year milestone with visionary initiatives empowering Africa's youth for the future of work

How Patrice Motsepe-backed GoSolr wants to solve South Africa's power crises

How Patrice Motsepe-backed GoSolr wants to solve South Africa's power crises

Harsh words for the World Bank from Uganda’s president at the meeting of African leaders

Harsh words for the World Bank from Uganda’s president at the meeting of African leaders

ADVERTISEMENT