Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli has claimed that Lionel Messi can "carry the team on his shoulders" at this year's World Cup in Russia.
The Barcelona talisman has won multiple trophies with his club side but has not been able to deliver silverware for the Albiceleste beyond an Under-20s World Cup and an Olympic gold medal.
Messi was named the best player of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but Argentina were beaten in the final by Germany.
Meanwhile, Chile ran out winners in the finals of both the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments at the expense of the 1978 and 1986 world champions.
"This is going to be his team," Sampaoli told BBC Sport before his side's friendly against Italy on Friday.
"Messi is the best of all and is in a stage of maturity that can he can carry the team on his shoulders. It is more his team than mine."
The 30-year-old scored a hat-trick in Argentina's final qualifying game against Ecuador to secure his nation's place in Russia.
Giuseppe Labellarte
