‘Argentina’s 2018 FIFA World Cup bid made easier by Lionel Messi’

Argentina national football team player Javier Mascherano has claimed that their 2018 FIFA World Cup bid is aided significantly by having an in-form Lionel Messi in the squad. He did, however, caution about having too many expectations from the side. “We can't be thinking about becoming World Cup champions, but about arriving as a group in the best way and generating trust that we lack today because of the situations that we have experienced,” Mascherano said. “It's fundamental to start the World Cup well, not go crazy thinking about a hypothetical final, and think about it stage by stage,” he said. “The World Cup shows you the path that you should take along the way.” Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, but took its last major title in 1993 with the Copa America. (Video courtesy – Perform)