Argentina may not be fancied for the 2018 World Cup, but Juan Roman Riquelme feels they can contend with Lionel Messi.
Argentina can win the 2018 World Cup in Russia if Lionel Messi is at his best, according to Juan Roman Riquelme.
After battling through qualifying, Jorge Sampaoli's men are not considered among the strong favourites for Russia 2018.
However, Riquelme — who was capped 51 times by the national team — believes Argentina could contend if Messi performs, having been drawn in Group D alongside Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.
"We hope that we do well, that the players get well and above all Messi," the Argentinian told El Trece.
"If the latter happens, Argentina will have many chances to win. If Messi is good, nothing is complicated.
"I don't know Sampaoli. It is important that Argentina can win the World Cup. We want to celebrate and when there are players as important as Messi, you depend on them a lot."
Messi missed out on winning a sixth Ballon d'Or this year, with Cristiano Ronaldo instead joining him on a record five.
Riquelme believes his countryman is the world's best, but he paid tribute to both the Barcelona star and Real Madrid forward.
"It's Messi and we're lucky he's Argentinian. Cristiano Ronaldo served Messi and Messi Cristiano Ronaldo," he said.
"Both gave themselves strength to share the prizes. I think Messi is the best. They are incredible."
Rayhan-Rahim
53
The problem with Argentina has always been the coach getting the better out of the many talented and world class Argentina players. They have quality players, but they don't play as a team to win. If Sampaoli finds the way to use Messi in his advantage and be able to unite the best talents at his disposal to play as a team, why not? they will be challenging for it. They have a tremendous squad and Messi can do what Maradona did coz he has that quality
Messifan24
50
Messi one player uf he the only one showing up then no but still Messi is the best just unlucky with coaches plus teamates not understanding his genius passes
clicks7
21
Unfortunately, he can't. Winning the world cup requires a lot of team effort working together. Yes they have the greatest attack and the magnificent messi to lead them,great coach Sampaoli. But with that Average midfield and poor defense... I assure they can't lift the world cup. To me the pressure is on messi, But the overall job is on sampaoli to strengthen those two departments.
arnav08
21
Argentina's chances of winning the world cup r very slim. But yeah if Messi is at his level best then he alone can clinch the title like he did in the qualifiers. Aguero & Di Maria r also good but their performance in the national team haven't been that Gr8. & just forget Higuain, I won't speak about him. Just his name makes me full of anger. & then there's Dybala, the emerging talent. We can surely count on him too. Best of luck Argentina 🇦🇷 for the world cup u
Leoshrest_LM10
17
Its not about messi only Its about all the team members too why can't they Help the team....and if argentina loss The blame is on messi
mihapz
10
if the team wins you want to single out messi as the factor but if the team is beaten you want to say the team failed to understand him. Messi is club player who fizzles out on grand occassions. no world cup for Argentina unless they go back to the greatest ever player Maradonaaaaa. Messi has failed to inspire Argentina to at least a Copa America