World Cup 2018: ‘Lionel Messi is anyway all-time great’

Despite all the criticism after Barcelona super star Lionel Messi’s failed penalty kick in Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Iceland, former striker Hernan Crespo has backed him. He has won 32 titles and five Ballon d'Or in 14 seasons at Barcelona, but has never lifted the World Cup. "A lot of players are great in our memories without winning the World Cup," Crespo told BBC Sport. "Messi is a fantastic player. I love to watch him so much and he's a very good guy. He deserves to win the World Cup. "If he wins he's a great player, but he is still a great player if he doesn't. "How many great players didn't win it? I don't remember Johan Cruyff or [Michel] Platini doing it." It’s the fourth time Messi is playing in the World Cup throughout his career and it’s believed that Messi is having his last chance to become the tournament champion. Argentina reached the quarter-finals in 2006 and 2010 and were beaten by Germany in the final in 2014. "We don't help him so much and by that I mean coaches, presidents of federations etc," he said. "It's a pity because he's the most important player in the world and we don't help him. He wants to do it so much. He maybe feels that pressure. "At Barcelona it has become natural to win but at Argentina we've been so unlucky. "He's one of the best in history. If you like football you love to see Messi."

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