Argentina need to improve: Messi

Madrid, December 7 

Argentina captain Lionel Messi believes they need to improve if they are to stand a chance of winning next year’s World Cup in Russia.

Argentina, who reached the final in 2014, struggled during qualification for Russia, going through three coaches before securing their place at the tournament thanks to a Messi hat-trick in a 3-1 win away to Ecuador in the final qualifier.

Messi’s side will kick off their World Cup campaign against Iceland on June 16, before facing Croatia and Nigeria in their other group stage fixtures.

Next year’s tournament may be the last chance for the 30-year-old Messi to win a major trophy with Argentina and the Barcelona forward says they need to make changes in order to overcome more fancied countries.

“We had a difficult time (in qualifying), but we had our moments,” Messi said.

“But it’s true that we need to improve if we want to be world champions. Right now we’re not far off, but there are better sides than us such as Brazil, Germany, France and Spain,” he added. — Reuters