Argentina captain Lionel Messi has stated that he would like to go head-to-head with Barcelona teammate and Brazil talisman Neymar in the World Cup 2014 final.
If he had a choice, Messi would pick to play the hosts in the final, however he also stated that he would be equally happy taking part in the showpiece final against any team at the Maracana in Brazil.
“It would be a dream to get to the World Cup final,” Messi told Victor Hugo Morales in an interview for DeporTV.
“For the way things are going I think we can get there. Hopefully I can play Neymar in the final, but if not him, then any team.”
Messi also drew on his past World Cup experiences reflecting upon the criticism that he and his teammates received after a disappointing show at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and also spoke about how it was like being coached by Diego Maradona four years later.
“It was beautiful as it was my first experience in the tournament,” he continued.
“But after we went out they were very unfair to me, because that team played well.
“They said I wasn’t bitter about the defeat, which wasn’t true.
“[Maradona and I] got along very well. He has a way of communicating things that is most special.
“Sometimes it’s easier to clear out the coach than the players, who were truly responsible for getting knocked out.”
Follow Krishan Ghedian on Twitter: @Ghedia89, @shed_talk
