[soccerstar]

Lionel Messi, the World footballer of the Year, insists he is prepared for the World Cup and the Barcelona star believes the “time is right” for Argentina to become world champions, with Messi confident coach Diego Maradona can lead them to glory.

The South American giants have not tasted World Cup success since 1986 but Messi feels 2010 could be their year.

In 1986 Maradona was the country’s hero with his exploits on the pitch, including the now infamous “hand of God” moment against England, which secured the trophy for Argentina.

Messi feels Maradona, now the national side’s coach, could again prove the key factor in any potential Argentine success.

“Maradona is a great football personality and a true legend for all Argentineans. Everyone in the national team has faith in him,” Messi said.

“Players and coaches stick together and we are all united. We will be fighting together to go as far as possible.

“In my opinion he is a coach who is close to his players. He is not as absent as some coaches can be. He is simply one of us and the fact alone that he is with us gives us all plenty of confidence.”

Messi may feel Maradona could be crucial to Argentina’s chances but many pundits have pointed out the Barcelona star himself as the man who could lead his country to glory. The tricky forward has enjoyed another sensational campaign at Camp Nou and if he is on the top of his game in South Africa Argentina will be a very difficult proposition for any side, including favourites Spain and Brazil.