Manager Jorge Sampaoli banking on Lionel Messi for World Cup revival

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

New manager Jorge Sampaoli says he is looking to superstar Lionel Messi to revive Argentina's World Cup fortunes starting with today's friendly with Brazil in Melbourne.

Sampaoli has been installed to kick-start the two-time world champions' ailing South American campaign. Sampaoli, who is Argentina's third coach during the current World Cup campaign after Gerardo Martino and Edgardo Bauza, said he valued Messi's commitment to get his country to next year's World Cup finals in Russia.

"He (Messi) has the will to participate and drive Argentina to the World Cup, so he's very much involved toward these goals," he said. "I really hope that the abilities that he shows will help Argentina improve."