Lionel Messi, five time Ballon d’or winner, has thrown the football world intro shock just days out from the start of the World Cup in Russia, declaring his international future may be over if Argentina do not perform at the tournament.

“It will depend on how far we go, how we’re going to finish” said the Barcelona legend and Argentina captain 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.”

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 again in 2016.

Messi, who celebrates his 31st birthday during the World Cup, believes Spain, Brazil, Germany, France and Belgium are among the favourites for the World Cup.