02.06.2010- Bayern's Turkey star Altintop extends contract

02.06.2010- Barcelona make official bid for Arsenal's Fabregas

02.06.2010- Marseille ready to splash out on Forlan: report

02.06.2010- Former Croatia defender Kovac hangs up his boots

02.06.2010- Redknapp expects Cole to snub Spurs

02.06.2010- Real's Mourinho eyes Gerrard: report

02.06.2010- Bent anguish at England axe

02.06.2010- Red Knights decide to halt United takeover bid

02.06.2010- Cannavaro signs for Dubai's Al-Ahli

02.06.2010- S.Africans learn tongue twister national anthem

29.05.2010- Maradona and Messi arrive in South Africa

24.05.2010- Argentina cruise in Canadian friendly

22.05.2010- Messi reassures anxious Argentina over injury

21.05.2010- Messi hands Argentina injury scare

18.05.2010- Argentina unsure on Maradona the manager

12.05.2010- Maradona omits Zanetti and Cambiasso

10.05.2010- Maradona drug free "for six years"

04.05.2010- Messi brace pushes Barcelona closer to Liga title

28.04.2010- Maradona hands veteran Ortega Argentina recall

25.04.2010- Messi's the best, admits Rooney

23.04.2010- Bolt backs Argentina for World Cup

13.04.2010- Veteran Cappa appointed River Plate coach

11.04.2010- Barcelona could rewrite history books, says Messi

08.04.2010- Ronaldo is just as good as Messi, insist Real teammates

06.04.2010- 'Phenomenal' Messi receives universal acclaim

06.04.2010- Messi magic crushes Arsenal's Champions League dream

30.03.2010- Maradona hospitalised after dog bite

23.03.2010- Messi eyes World Cup to become a legend

17.03.2010- Barcelona to unleash magical Messi on Stuttgart

14.03.2010- Magical Messi hat-trick sends Barcelona top

03.03.2010- Maradona's Argentina outshine Germany

02.03.2010- Maradona's Argentina in nauseous German arrival

26.02.2010- Messi tops Ronaldo, Rooney as world star - study

18.01.2010- Centurion scorer Messi hungry for more success

11.01.2010- Argentina international Lavezzi out for a month

Argentina's reigning world footballer of the year Lionel Messi insisted on Tuesday he did not crack under the weight of expectation when he played for the national side and he would show that at the upcoming World Cup finals.

The 22-year-old Barcelona star has often been criticised for not reproducing his stellar club form at international level, but Messi - who was arriving here from Spain where he ended the season with 34 league goals as Barca retained the title - said that was not the case.

"I am going to to try and do what I do at Barcelona," said Messi.

"I am full of hope and really desire to do well (in South Africa where the tournament runs from June 11 to July 11).

"I am used to the pressure. I play for Barcelona who are one of the most important teams in the world and where it is obligatory to always win."

Messi, who flew in to join up with his fellow squad members and coach Diego Maradona, said he thought that Argentina could surprise many and lift the World Cup for the third time in their history.

"For me, Argentina is a serious candidate for the title even if nobody puts us among the favourites.

"And I believe that is a good thing for us."

Argentina are in Group B along with 2002 semi-finalists South Korea, African heavyweights Nigeria and Euro 2004 champions Greece.