True, he rarely looks the player he is for Barcelona in Argentina colours but stopping Messi will be easier said than done.

The 26-year-old has been wearing the Albiceleste jersey for seven years now, and has become such an important cog in the midfield that he now sports the captain's armband.

And his contribution was such that the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) recently 'retired' his old No.10 shirt.