AE Sports

Messi promises world class performance in Brazil

Barcelona striker, Lionel Messi believes he can put his fitness woes of 2013 behind him to have a phenomenal year with club and country.

The 26-year-old has scored four goals in his opening four games of 2014 having returned from a spell out on the sidelines, though lost his Ballon d’Or crown to Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite losing the tag of best player on the planet, the Barca attacker believes he can bounce back with top performances in 2013-14 and, in the summer, at the World Cup with Argentina.

“I’m very happy, I have plenty of desire to come back and play football after such a long time out. I’m lucky because step by step I’m starting to feel better, with a lot of vision to have a great year – not just with Barcelona but also with Argentina.

Messi could return to action on Wednesday when Barca travels to Levante for the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal.