'This is Messi's team'

Speaking ahead of Argentina's upcoming friendlies with Italy and Spain, Sampaoli said: "This team will be for him [Messi]."

The national side manager deems his star man to be completely prepared and ready to lead the the side into the World Cup in Russia. Nevertheless, with Sampaoli's statements, it's not clear whether he's trying to inspire confidence or exert pressure on Messi. 

"Leo is in a mature stage off his career. He has a lot of responsibility and has to manage the others. He joined the team tired, but he trained exceptionally and has given everyone a boost. It's more his team than mine. If he carries on like this, he'll just get better and better. This is Messi's team," he confessed. 

Sampaoli also took the time to praise Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain: "He's heading strongly into a World Cup that will prove he is one of the best strikers in the world. If he carries on at this level, he'll give us a lot of strength in attack," he added. 

On Sergio Aguero, whose fitness is a doubt, the boss said: "We will see in the next few days if he'll be able to play against Spain, but to me it looks unlikely."