Argentina legend Javier Zanetti believes Lionel Messi is under more pressure to deliver for the national side after witnessing them lose in the finals of the previous three major tournaments. The Barcelona star has won everything within reach at club level but he has yet to taste any form of glory with the Albiceleste.
Messi had played a key role in Argentina’s run to the World Cup finals in 2014 but he could not find the scoresheet in the ultimate game against Germany, where they lost by a 1-0 scoreline. The 30-year-old thereafter witnessed the nation succumb to successive Copa America final defeats to Chile and this saw him announce his pre-mature retirement amid the criticism bestowed upon him.
Since then, Messi has returned to the national team fold after some convincing and he remains crucial towards their World Cup prospects after single-handedly guiding them to the tournament. Argentina required a win against Ecuador in the final game of their qualifying phase and Messi duly delivered with a hat-trick in a 3-1 triumph.