Colombia Jose Pekerman: 'Lionel Messi is simply the best'

Jose Pekerman has reminded his Colombia team that Lionel Messi is "quite simply the best player in the world" ahead of their Copa America quarter-final with Argentina.

The two nations clash in Vino del Mar, Chile tonight, and Pekerman says that his defence have a job to do in order to contain the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Messi is quite simply the best player in the world and Argentina have played in the same way that they did at the World Cup," he told his pre-match press conference.

"They have some new elements that are contributing much to the team too, with [coach] Gerardo Martino beginning to implement his plan for them."

The winner of the contest will face Brazil or Paraguay in the semi-finals.