Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli says Lionel Messi has struggled to perform at the 2018 World Cup because his team mates are not good enough.

Messi, possibly playing in his last World Cup, had minimal impact, largely marked out of Thursday's shambolic 3-0 World Cup defeat by Croatia.

However Sampaoli refused to blame Messi, instead suggesting a lack of ability elsewhere in his squad is to blame.

Lionel Messi has struggled at the World Cup because of his team mates, says his manager

Messi had minimal impact in Thursday's shambolic 3-0 World Cup defeat by Croatia

However Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli refused to blame Messi for the heavy defeat

After the defeat, he said: 'Because of the reality of the Argentina squad, it sort of clouds Leo's brilliance. Leo is limited because the team doesn't gel with him as ideally as it should.'

Sampaoli also took the blame as he tried to deflect the criticism from a terrible goalkeeping mistake and a poor performance by captain Messi.

'It's not the boss's partial responsibility, it's his total responsibility,' said Sampaoli, after presiding over Argentina's heaviest defeat in the World Cup group stage since 1958, a result that saw Croatia qualify for the last 16.

Third in Group D with one point after two games, Argentina are now struggling to scrape into the second round and an exit at this stage would be humiliating for a team of their stature.

Sampaoli also refused to blame goalkeeper Willy Caballero despite his error for the opener

In front of a massive and increasingly incredulous following in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Argentina collapsed in the second half after keeper Willy Caballero messed up a clearance and Ante Rebic fired home Croatia's first goal.

'It's not right to blame Caballero,' said Sampaoli, looking bemused during his post-match news conference.

'If I'd planned things differently, it would have worked out differently. I honestly thought the plan for this match was going to put pressure on the opponent. But after the disaster of the first goal, it was tough, we were lost emotionally.

'Our driving force is Leo, but we couldn't find him. We work as a team to get the ball to Leo, but also the other team works to avoid that.

'There is shame, pain, at not delivering for the Argentine people. It's been a long time since I felt like this, and now it's happening with the shirt of my own country. It hurts badly.'

Argentina are now on the verge of elimination and must beat Nigeria in their next match

Argentina drew 1-1 with Iceland in their first game, when Messi missed a penalty, and next face Nigeria, who lost their opener to Croatia, in their final Group D match.

'We have one match left, and we have to take whatever opportunity the others give us to see if we can get through to the second round,' Sampaoli said.

'I say sorry to all the fans who made such an effort to come to Russia. 'I shared their dream. I did the best I could.'