03 September,2009 08:02 AM IST | | Agencies
Lionel Messi affirmed that Argentina are more than capable of beating Brazil "comfortably" when the arch-rivals meet in a decisive 2010 World Cup qualifier in Rosario on Saturday.
"It will be a difficult match because Brazil have great players, the same as us, and because of this I think we can win comfortably," said Messi.
"We know what we are playing for, we all want to play. We hope that it is a great match for Argentina, and for me as well," stated the Barcelona superstar, who expressed his desire for it to be "a great match and for Argentina to win without it mattering who scores the goals."
Messi then shifted his attention to Brazil, by saying that the Selecao "are a team who wait to be attacked so that they can counterattack, they do this in practically all of their matches and we have to be very cautious of this."
He continued: "They know the way they need to play, but we only think about ourselves."
Messi, who was confirmed in Argentina's starting XI against Brazil, stated that he is not preoccupied by the fact that he could be marked by either Daniel Alves of Barcelona or Felipe Melo of Juventus.
"Whoever plays it is all the same, I will play in the same manner as I always do."
Finally, Messi expressed his delight to play the match in Rosario, the city of his birth, even if it will be at the stadium of rivals Rosario Central.
"I feel good going to Rosario and I know the fans will respond very well because it has been a long time since the national team played there, and even more in a match against Brazil."
Meanwhile, Argentina coach Maradona said how he would love to be much younger at this point in time.
"I would give anything to be 20 years younger," Maradona started to say to ANSA.it.
"So that I could play against Brazil."
Courtesy: Goal.com
