Horst Eckel: 'Germany must not lose Lionel Messi'

World Cup winner Horst Eckel has suggested that keeping Lionel Messi quiet must be the top priority for Germany in this Sunday's final against Argentina.

Despite praising the players available to head coach Joachim Low, Eckel admits that he is concerned about the possibility of Messi producing his best form at the Maracana.

"I believe the lads can do it. We've already got a slightly better chance. The team have got into a good rhythm," the 82-year-old, who was a member of the victorious West Germany squad in 1954," he told FIFA.com.

"It's no coincidence that Argentina have reached the final. They haven't got a bad team either, and our boys will have to watch Lionel Messi for 90 minutes. You can't take your eyes off a player like that for a second."

Germany's assistant coach Hansi Flick has claimed that there will be a "special plan" in place to stop Messi having a big impact on the game.