ENGLAND FEAR ... Lionel Messi
While Spain and Brazil are the many people's favourites for glory in South Africa, the 22-year-old puts Fabio Capello's side in the same category.
He said: "I think that right now, the strongest sides going into the World Cup are Spain, England and Brazil.
"They had a strong, easy qualifying and are very tough. "Hopefully, it will be my World Cup, Argentina's World Cup and that we hit the ground running and play up to people's expectations and win the World Cup.
Messi has had another stellar season with Barcelona, winning another La Liga title under Pep Guardiola as well as a starring role in the Champions League.
And while he admits he is yet to reproduce that form at international level, the little forward hopes things will click for his country under coach Diego Maradona.
He added: "People have an opinion and I respect it. I'm the first person who wants to do well with my national team and perform like I do with Barcelona.
"I know that this is a really good opportunity for me and I'm going to try to do it.
"They are different systems and different styles and everything.
"At Barcelona, Guardiola decided to use me more in the middle and that's when I had more touches on the ball and played more around the front of the area.
"And well, I've had the luck to be able to score more goals."
"At first, it was strange to have Maradona as our coach — the truth is he was a little imposing.
"But afterwards, we started getting used to him and he's been our coach for a while, so now it's normal.
"Also, he's really close to the players, he's one of the guys, so there's no problem.
"Maradona has always been very nice to me.
"Even before he was our coach and I took my first steps as a professional.
"Now that I have him as a manager, he's even closer and gives me a lot more confidence than he did before."
Hope England can be in semi final!!!!
I doubt that he will shine in wc..
N.korea will be a dark horse, hope they go into 2nd round...that will be very interesting....
N.Korea will win world cup mah?
At least go to 2nd round...no way they will win the cup.
Hahahahaha,Messi is such a joker.
i think everyone should be fearful of serbia...
Another dark horse......very dangerous to play with. Seeded country rather play those country that is very familar to the world. Not unknown.....eg) Seeded country rather play against Japan, South Korea, Australia...than those dark horse.
England is like Bolton in International football, where they play long balls to the strikers to chase and feed on knockdowns and also emphasising on freekicks, crosses and corners to score goals.
when england (bolton) plays against arsenal (spain & brazil), england is likely to be bulldozed by the possession football these teams play. england has been playing like this since the 70s till now. in the 50s and 60s, england never played like that at all. whoever strategise on the long balls in england, deserved to be condemned and shot at. its a torture for england fans to see their team play with this kind of boring, one dimensional brand of football.
Lolx
Messi muz be thinking
Why Xavi is not Argentina
Originally posted by Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1):Lolx
Messi muz be thinking
Why Xavi is not Argentina
why not Messi convert to a spanish citizen instead, since he has been in spain since he was 13.
ROFL!
I think he meant fear England's .... fans.
u dun agree that england is like bolton in international football and spain is like arsenal?
right now the friendly match... spain first 11 is all RM n barce player.. + D.sliva
funny ... u see barce only pass to barce player... lol..
Originally posted by SGporkz:right now the friendly match... spain first 11 is all RM n barce player.. + D.sliva
funny ... u see barce only pass to barce player... lol..
and it was a Athletic Bilbao striker who rescue them a win