Sampaoli: Messi has a revolver put to his head called the World Cup and if he doesn't win it, he's shot and killed Friendly - Spain vs Argentina Argentina set to face Spain on Tuesday

Success on the international stage is how the very best footballers are judged, and Jorge Sampaoli believes the pressure of winning the World Cup is akin to the Lionel Messi having a revolver put to his head.

Barcelona's forward has been unlucky throughout his international career, guiding Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014, as well as two successive Copa America finals.

Sampaoli has written a book which is set to be released in April, and ahead of the release there has been preview passages handed to the Viva, Clarin magazine.

"Messi has a revolver put to his head called the World Cup and if he doesn't win it, he's shot and killed," he explained.

"As a result, he can't enjoy his talent.

"What I find is that the negativity surrounding international football damages Messi."

Despite detailing the obvious pressure the forward is under, the former Sevilla coach was quick to heap praise on him.

"At this moment, I feel that I'm coaching the best player in history," he admitted.

"This is a guy who has stayed as the best in the world for 10 years.

"It's difficult to assume a level of control when your leader knows he's better than you, he executes things like nobody else."

There is such a feeling of good-will towards Messi when it comes to a World Cup, there is a sizable chunk of neutral fans who feel as though football owes a World Cup to the iconic forward, although Sampaoli believes it will take organisation to achieve such a feat.

"You have to find the best players and put them in their best position," he confirmed.

"Leo has to play like he does for his club, to put him into another structure is madness.

"Against Ecuador I was a bit strong in my tone suggesting that football owed Messi a World Cup, however I knew he was going to appear for us at the vital moments."