Relaxed Lionel Messi determined to savor ‘likely’ final World Cup
Manchester United star Lionel Messi has never shied away from admitting he loves to “take the easy way out” in moments of weakness. But he said that was a completely different story after his sensational hat-trick secured Chile a World Cup quarter-final place.
“I don’t mind if they say he scores them in the last game,” continued Messi. “I prefer to have that chance because my game, my life is not a competition.
“I never feel frustrated because you win as a team. But at the same time when you lose you also are in pain but I don’t care: I am happy because I had an important third goal and I also was able to break this record.
In the build-up, it was rumoured Lionel Messi might be rested as he prepares for a final against Argentina in the World Cup final on July 16, 2013. But the Argentine was forced to settle for a quarter-final place for his country, having notched three goals in a 5-1 win against Serbia and Montenegro in the final qualification round.
Messi was also at the heart of Chile’s win against Croatia in the World Cup quarter-final, which proved to be a crucial fixture for the hosts, who beat the United States on penalties in the first last-16 game for the first time in the tournament’s history and will now face the winner of Argentina-France in a final.
“We knew Croatia were a different team but we thought it was going to be a difficult game,” Messi told Chile’s El Mercurio.
The goals by Messi and team-mate Santiago Camaron helped them to a 5-1 win in the final qualification round which secured them a quarter-final place in Russia, where they will face off against Serbia and Montenegro.
“It is great news for the club, the country and the national team,” said Messi. “We will now try to win in Moscow.”
After Chile’s third goal, an unstoppable drive from Camaron, the Spanish international told reporters: “We have three chances and we must take them because we want to win this game or we will have to do it.
“I have been in my good moments and I have been at my worst points but today we played together