Can Messi make it his World Cup?

No man on earth will be so closely watched, possibly in many years to come. At least 300 million people will keep their eager eyes on one man. Several hundred high-tech cameras will be out there to capture every move of this short and shy man of 26. And, the moment Argentina-Bosnia match gets underway in Rio de Janeiro early Monday morning, everybody will expect him to emulate the World Cup feats of his country's football god Diego Maradona.

Despite being a legend already and having the tag of the greatest attacking club player of all time, Lionel Messi, the man under the global focus, needs still to prove a crucial point. Little Leo, the record four-time Fifa World Player of the Year, must rediscover, at this world stage, the magic he generated for his club Barcelona over the years to be considered for the status of 'greatest of all-time' alongside Pele and Maradona.

The mild-mannered goal-scoring machine has achieved almost everything at club level. Neither Pele nor Maradona had the same success at club level as Messi. Many of his 382 goals off 238 matches for Barcelona were seen as absolutely exceptional. But just one goal from his two World Cup appearances in 2006 and 2010 was seen as a big puzzle to the world. Messi's individual struggles have paralleled team struggles. 

The pressure of Maradona's astronomical success hangs heavy over Messi now more than ever. But he is a player of unquestionable talent with an apparent invulnerability to the pressure of huge expectation and big matches. Messi knows fully well that it is going to be his last chance to cross the final hurdle in order to become football's 'greatest of all time'. His fans at home and beyond will keep their fingers crossed so that Messi gets lucky the third time. And if their prayers are answered this time, Argentina will head home with their third World Cup trophy.

Unlike the last two World Cups, this year's tournament is being played across the border in Brazil, where Messi has a huge fan-following. Brazil is also a second home for the Argentine. Interestingly though, Brazil always want their arch-rivals in the World Cup final playing against them.

Besides, the Argentines have been placed in a rather weak group with debutantes Bosnia being their biggest threat to a first-place finish, ahead of Nigeria and Iran. Should Argentina top the group and avoid facing France in the quarterfinals, they may have a relatively safe passage to the semifinals.

Coach Alejandro Sabella has also picked a good combination of some high quality players to back Messi up. His midfield includes Real Madrid's man of the match in the Champions League final and Barcelona's Javier Mascherano. Sabella has also two star forwards in Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero to take the pressure off Messi.

Coach Sabella knows well it is the team that wins matches, not individuals. Still, when you have a player like Messi in hand, it's always better to let the team revolve round him. Almost identically, the Argentine teams of 1986 and 1990 rallied round Maradona.

How deep Argentina can go will depend on how far Messi can take them. So, how far will Messi go? Is all the way to lifting the Cup? Let's see how Messi gets going in their Cup opener. I can see Messi scoring twice! And I'm also sure that Bangladeshis are going to set a record in early-rising or staying awake till 6 in the morning. Good luck for you all!