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Jorge Sampaoli: 'Lionel Messi can carry Argentina at 2018 World Cup'

Sampaoli: 'Messi can carry Argentina'
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Argentina forward Lionel Messi can "carry the team on his shoulders" at this year's World Cup in Russia, according to manager Jorge Sampaoli.

Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli has claimed that Lionel Messi can "carry the team on his shoulders" at this year's World Cup in Russia.

The Barcelona talisman has won multiple trophies with his club side but has not been able to deliver silverware for the Albiceleste beyond an Under-20s World Cup and an Olympic gold medal.

Messi was named the best player of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but Argentina were beaten in the final by Germany.

Meanwhile, Chile ran out winners in the finals of both the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments at the expense of the 1978 and 1986 world champions.

"This is going to be his team," Sampaoli told BBC Sport before his side's friendly against Italy on Friday.

"Messi is the best of all and is in a stage of maturity that can he can carry the team on his shoulders. It is more his team than mine."

The 30-year-old scored a hat-trick in Argentina's final qualifying game against Ecuador to secure his nation's place in Russia.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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