FIFA World Cup 2018: Lionel Messi, Argentina gear up for marquee event

Lionel Messi’s list of career accomplishments is enviable to say the least. Apart from winning numerous honours with Barcelona, he is a record five-time Ballon d’Or winner. His natural talent and penchant for goals have seen many of the current generation of promising footballers cite him as an influence and led to many calling him the best player of all time. However, it’s an assessment the man himself doesn’t agree with. Amazingly, he sees himself as “just another player” for the Argentina national football team and Barcelona.

Updated on: Jun 07, 2018 12:30 PM IST

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Lionel Messi of Argentina takes part in a training session as part of the team preparation for FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 at FC Barcelona 'Joan Gamper' sports centre. (Getty Images)

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Argentina players take part in a training session as part of the team preparation for FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 at FC Barcelona 'Joan Gamper' sports centre on June 6, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Getty Images)

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Argentina, who lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, will be aiming to break their 32-year drought at football’s marquee event. (Getty Images)

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Lionel Messi of Argentina takes part in a training session as part of the team preparation for FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 at FC Barcelona sports centre. (Getty Images)

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Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero will be key for Argentina if they have to secure the 2018 World Cup title which will be held in Russia. (Getty Images)

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Lionel Messi, who has not won any major world event during his time with Argentina, will be determined to win the World Cup. (Getty Images)

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Messi, who is 30 years of age, could probably be playing his last World Cup and will be aiming to go out on a high. (Getty Images)

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Messi has had disappointments at World football events for the past four years, with finals losses in the 2014 World Cup and two losses in the final of the Copa America to Chile in 2015 and 2016. (Getty Images)

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Messi remains Argentina’s talisman and will be eager to get some silverware back to his country. (Getty Images)

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Sergio Aguero will play a key role along with Messi, Paolo Dybala and Angel di Maria. (Getty Images)

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Argentina will play their opening game against Iceland and they are placed in Group D along with Croatia and Nigeria. (Getty Images)