'Messi deserves a World Cup'

The midfielder is relishing being able to play alongside Lionel Messi once more – something he says will go down as the pinnacle of his career.

"I love playing with 'The Dwarf'," he said. "It's amazing, unforgettable. It's something I'll be able to tell my daughters: I was there, I shared a pitch with him. It was the best thing that happened to me in football."

Di Maria also feels Messi deserves to win the World Cup this year, given what he has achieved, although he accepts their struggle in qualification means Argentina might not be among the favourites.

"There is no doubt football owes Leo a World Cup, for everything he's done and achieved in his life. Of course, we want to help him," he said.

"It's possible we're not a contender because of how we qualified, or because of how we were playing before Sampaoli arrived. But having Messi gives you a boost."

"We have players who are at the best clubs. That makes you a contender. I'd like to be remembered for winning a World Cup."

"The pressure [to qualify] was huge. We could have missed out, the cycle of our best could have come to an end... it was hard to accept. But, with the qualification, we've been liberated. Not just me, but Leo, everyone."