Lionel Messi believes winning the World Cup with Argentina would be the greatest achievement of his glittering career.
Argentina will make it through to their first World Cup final in 24 years if they beat the Netherlands at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo tonight.
Messi’s trophy cabinet is packed with awards having won six Spanish league titles with Barcelona, three Champions Leagues and he has been awarded the Ballon d’Or on three occasions. But one accolade is missing – the World Cup.
Four years ago, many of Messi’s Barcelona team-mates returned to Catalonia with a World Cup winners’ medals and now he wants one of his own.
“As a player, winning a World Cup is the best there is,” the Argentina captain said.
“It’s something you dream about when you are a kid and it never disappears. I have asked my Barcelona team-mates Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta and (Gerard) Pique what it is like to lift the trophy, and they couldn’t explain.
“We will do everything to make this dream a reality. To play a World Cup final with the great atmosphere of the Maracana is something what every player dreams of, but first we have to make sure we get there.”
Argentina will, of course, be banking on their talisman to deliver that bit of magic to beat Louis van Gaal’s Holland, who have been one of the toughest teams to beat at the World Cup.
Messi, who has scored four of Argentina’s eight goals, could still end the tournament as top scorer, but he is not concerned about individual accolades.
This is a team game, he insists. “I’d prefer the World Cup than the golden boot. Always,” he said.
“I am only concentrating on the team. If we concentrate on our own game and we prepare ourselves tactically then our football will do the talking.
“If I keep scoring goals and that helps the team then that is the most important thing.”
If Messi was feeling any nerves on the eve of the semi-final in Sao Paulo then he was not showing it.
“I am feeling positive pressure,” Messi said.
“It’s a great honour to be captain of Argentina. I want to pay back the trust given in me leading Argentina to the World Cup.”
Argentina and Holland share a rich World Cup history.
The Dutch put on a fantastic display of ‘total football’ to beat Argentina 4-0 in 1974, but four years later the South Americans got their revenge, beating the Oranje to lift the trophy.
Twenty years on Dennis Bergkamp scored a breath-taking winner in one of the most memorable matches of France ‘98.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Netherlands (5-3-2):
Cillessen; Martins Indi, Vlaar, De Vrij, Blind; Kuyt, Wijnaldum, De Guzman, Sneijder; Huntelaar, Robben.
Argentina (4-3-1-2):
Romero; Rojo, Demichelis, Garay; Zabaleta, Gago, Mascherano, Perez, Messi; Aguero, Higuain.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Netherlands- Bruno Martins Indi
He catches the eye with his powerful performances at the back, but Martins Indi is also the chief passer in defence. Starts the majority of the Netherlands’ attacking moves.
Argentina- Gonzalo Higuain
After his fine finish against Belgium, Higuain should be in fine form tonight. More than just a goalscorer, his link-up play and awareness around the penalty area is crucial for his team-mates.