Messi's World Cup dreams

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Barcelona star Lionel Messi says he is confident he will one day lift the FIFA World Cup trophy with Argentina.

The diminutive forward has often been criticised for his displays for his national squad, with many feeling the 24-year-old does not give his all at international level.

Pressure is mounting on Argentina, who have not won an official tournament since 1993, but Messi is confident things will soon change.

"A dream? To win the World Cup and the Copa America. That is what I am missing and I am convinced I will do it," Messi told the Argentine Football Association's magazine.

"I would be delighted to win a title with the national team. But it is clear I have nothing to prove, I have always been willing to help and it will always be like this."

"I do not feel I owe anything to anyone, let us make that very clear. I am simply one more player on this team who wants the best for Argentine football."

"Little by little, our team is growing."

Messi described his Barcelona team as the strongest side in the world, and said comparisons with the Argentine squad were pointless.

"Honestly, you cannot compare, it is not worth it," he said. "Barcelona have the best in the world."

"Those who support Barca, and those who do not, admit it. This is the result of many years of work with the same team-mates."

"With Argentina, on the other hand, we have unfortunately not been able to achieve the results we wanted. There have been many coaches and we are starting from scratch."

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