The Barcelona forward believes that Argentina will do well at this year’s World Cup but does not expect the group stages to be easy.
It only took the Argentine a few minutes against Getafe to prove that he has totally recovered from the injury that sidelined him at the end of last year. The following games have also revealed the 26-year-old to be in fine form.
Lionel Messi spent three months in Argentina trying to recuperate from his latest setback. The reason for this was because he hopes to avoid a repeat of 2013 when he suffered five injuries in total and was unable to play in crucial games of the season. Now, there is also a World Cup to think about and he doesn’t want to take any risks.
“We’re in a very good place. We had a successful qualification campaign after the game against Colombia in which we weren’t very good. It was a really important change for us. The squad is decent and we get on well. It could be our year. Anything can happen at the World Cup. It’s very difficult. But I think that we’ll do well,” said Messi in an interview with the FIFA website.
The fact that the World Cup will take place in Brazil makes it extra-special. Messi spoke with affection about Argentina’s rivalry against Brazil and recalled his favourite moments of the clássico.
“I remember very well the game in the under-20 World Cup (in 2005). We won the semi-final 2-1. I have great memories of that game because I scored the goal that put us in the final. That was one of my first moments of real happiness in football. It’s a beautiful memory.”
Argentina will face Bosnia, Iran and Argentina in the group stages of the World Cup. Messi does not expect it to be easy, however.
“A lot of people say that it’s going to be easy and that qualification from the group will be straightforward. But at the World Cup there is no easy team to face. If they are there then they are going to be motivated. There is no easy game at the World Cup.”
Argentina’s first game at the World Cup will be against Bosnia at the Maracanã on 15 June.
