ENGLAND FEAR ... Lionel Messi
While Spain and Brazil are the many people's favourites
for glory in South Africa, the 22-year-old puts Fabio Capello's
side in the same category.
He said: "I think that right now, the strongest sides
going into the World Cup are Spain, England and Brazil.
"They had a strong, easy qualifying and are very tough.
"Hopefully, it will be my World Cup, Argentina's World Cup and that
we hit the ground running and play up to people's expectations and
win the World Cup.
Messi has had another stellar season with Barcelona,
winning another La Liga title under Pep Guardiola as well as a
starring role in the Champions League.
And while he admits he is yet to reproduce that form at
international level, the little forward hopes things will click for
his country under coach Diego Maradona.
He added: "People have an opinion and I respect it. I'm
the first person who wants to do well with my national team and
perform like I do with Barcelona.
"I know that this is a really good opportunity for me
and I'm going to try to do it.
"They are different systems and different styles and
everything.
"At Barcelona, Guardiola decided to use me more in the
middle and that's when I had more touches on the ball and played
more around the front of the area.
"And well, I've had the luck to be able to score more
goals."
"At first, it was strange to have Maradona as our coach
— the truth is he was a little imposing.
"But afterwards, we started getting used to him and
he's been our coach for a while, so now it's normal.
"Also, he's really close to the players, he's one of
the guys, so there's no problem.
"Maradona has always been very nice to me.
"Even before he was our coach and I took my first steps
as a professional.
"Now that I have him as a manager, he's even closer and
gives me a lot more confidence than he did before."
