The Argentina coach, Diego Maradona, has said he is prepared to change the team's tactics for Lionel Messi to shine at the World Cup in South Africa this summer. The Barcelona forward has hit new heights for his club in recent weeks but has often struggled for the national side under the former world player of the year Maradona.

However, Maradona has now said that the team may have to work around Messi in South Africa, and not the other way around. "If I had to change for his good, I'd change," Maradona said, according to Reuters. "But I think that with the system we have and the players we have all he needs is to explode, and surely he will do that at the World Cup."

After his return from a tour of Europe to see his leading players, Maradona said he had "the most emotional conversation" with Messi since he met him.

"I saw a Messi totally convinced of what he wants. We believe in him to the death," said Maradona. "He's not Lio any more, he's Messi. He has rights he's earned on the pitch and he'll have to make his leadership felt on it."

Messi scored hat-tricks in successive La Liga games recently – against Real Zaragoza and Valencia – and is earning comparisons with some of the greatest players to play the game, including Maradona himself. "If anyone surpasses me I want him to be Argentine. If Messi does well, I win," said Maradona.