Posted on: 04:12 Fri, 06 Jun 2014



Argentina star Lionel Messi says his side are ‘strong and
unified’ ahead of the World Cup.
Only hosts Brazil are more favoured to win the tournament
and Messi feels his team’s serious approach to warm-up
matches can hold them in good stead.

Argentina play a final friendly against Slovenia on Saturday
before opening their World Cup campaign with a Group F clash
against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 15.

“Yes, it is just a friendly and we are very close to our trip [to
Brazil] but we are going to play with all we have,” said the 26-
year-old.

“No one wants any [injury to] occur, we are all being very
careful of that, but we still all want to win, do our best, play
seriously and I believe we have done that.

“I believe we have a very strong team, very unified and more
than that we also have really great players.”

Meanwhile, Messi’s Barcelona and Argentina team-mate Javier
Mascherano echoed his thoughts and said that coach
Alejandro Sabella had drummed into the squad the
importance of gaining pre-tournament rhythm.
“Our minds are on the World Cup, but you have to keep
playing,” he said.

“The team has to function well together… if not we will play
poorly in our first game.”{GOAL}