Lionel Messi: I don't need to win the World Cup to be the best

Lionel Messi says he doesn’t need to win the World Cup to prove he is the best

Lionel Messi does not feel that he will have to win a World Cup if he is to be remembered as the greatest player of all time.

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner is already being mentioned in the same breath as Pele and Maradona but, unlike those two true icons of the game, the Argentine has yet to lift football’s most prestigious prize.

There are those that believe that Messi must win a World Cup to cement his legendary status but the Barcelona attacker does not see it that way.

“I think there are many players considered the best ever without a World Cup,” the 26-year-old told Ole .

“But obviously winning a World Cup is a positive and it would be very special.

“I hope we are in Rio [venue for the final of Brazil 2014] enjoying the day there. Hopefully, we can reach that final.”

It has been speculated that Messi’s focus has been affected this season because of the prospect of representing his country on the game’s grandest stage this summer but while he says he is determined to make his compatriots happy by lifting the World Cup on Brazilian soil, he says the tournament has not been a distraction.

“The truth is I don’t think about it much,” the No.10 insisted. “I can’t imagine but I know Brazil will be full of Argentines since it’s so close.

“There is the desire to realise the dreams people have.”