Lionel Messi has dismissed any injury fears insisting his absence from Argentina training is "nothing out of the ordinary."
The forward reportedly sat out on his team's preparations due to an ankle issue which sparked fears that he may not be fit for the early stages of the World Cup. Argentina, who are in the midst of a lengthy unbeaten run, begin their tournament with a game against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning.
Messi is set to start and will need to play a crucial role for the South Americans if they are to be successful in Qatar. Now 35 years of age, the PSG star is more susceptible to injury but he hit back at reports which suggested he was struggling physically.
"I'm feeling well," Messi told a news conference on Monday. "I am very well physically and I feel in good condition. I think I come here in really good form, both personally and physically. There are no issues whatsoever. I heard there were rumours of having to miss part of training or be away from the team because of a blow but it's nothing out of the ordinary."
The World Cup in Qatar will be Messi's fifth and last. He first appeared at the finals back in 2006, where he scored his first World Cup goal. His best effort so far was his final appearance in 2014, where he was thwarted by the Germans, with 2010 and 2018 forgettable tournaments.
Time is running out with the Barcelona legend confessing this will be it with the next World Cup four years away. Argentina haven't won the prestigious competition since 1986, when Diego Maradona led them to glory in Mexico. Messi has long been compared to his compatriot and is desperate to go out on a high.
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"I'm aware it's a very special moment. It's most likely my last World Cup and the last opportunity to make my dream a reality," he added. "I'm really happy and really excited and I want to try to enjoy this World Cup.
"I think age as well makes you see things differently. Maybe now I give more importance to small details because before I didn't do it. I'll try now to focus more on the details and today enjoying it is more important."
Argentina arrive in the Middle East having won the Copa America last summer - Messi's first international trophy. They beat Brazil in the final and Messi admits they will not enjoy better preparation.
"I'm not sure we feel better [than before other World Cups] but we just won a competition and that is very reassuring," he claimed. "It helps you work in a different way and you don't feel as anxious. You don't put as much pressure on yourself so we focus on enjoying ourselves.
"The squad reminds me of 2014, very united and clear about what we have to do on the pitch and the way we have to play. It's great to be here in good form because it gives you so much confidence."
