Barcelona Says Albiceleste will qualify for World Cup

Currently playing for Qatar's Al-Sadd, former Barcelona defender Xavi Hernandez opened up on Argentina's failure to lift a trophy for some time and how some of his former teammates were unhappy playing for their country.

He also gave his thoughts on the current situation at the Catalan club.

"Argentina did not have the luck that is needed for a title to be achieved," he said to 'Estudio futbol' on channel TyC Sports.

"They would have to be more united in order to achieve an important trophy.

"When I was in Barcelona, I got the feeling that [Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano] did not enjoy playing with their national team."

At the moment Argentina are currently in the playoff zone and are struggling to qualify for the 2018 World Cup tournament, however, Xavi is positive the Albiceleste will get their ticket to Russia.

"I can't imagine a World Cup without Messi," the former Spanish international said.

"The South American qualifiers are like a European tournament, I am sure they will qualify and they will be one of the candidates to win the trophy.

"Messi has great teammates.

"Mascherano knows him very well and Ever Banega is a player that I love."

Argentina have been victims of constant criticism.

"In Argentina, the players who go to the national team are not valued, the qualifiers are terrible, I do not understand the criticism towards them," he added.

Xavi also spoke about Barcelona and Spain's success in 2010.

"Barcelona lent the idea of play to Spain," he revealed.

"The players' adaptation to the idea was fundamental."