Playmaker Lionel Messi has revealed the confidence in Argentina’s camp ahead of their Saturday showdown with Germany, a repeat of the two nations’ meeting at the same quarter-final stage in 2006.

The then hosts Germany won that match on penalties, with Messi a frustrated unused substitute. But four years on, the 22-year-old is prepared to put money on scoring against them in Cape Town.

 

Messi had a wager with coach Diego Maradona that he would score in Les Albiceleste’s second round victory over Mexico last Sunday. As in every match so far, Messi was denied by good opposition goalkeeping.

However, Messi is going “double or quits” with his inspirational boss that he is successful against the Germans, who have only conceded only twice in the tournament to date.

Maradona will not be curtailing Messi’s chances with his tactics. He said this week: “Nobody ever told me where to play. It’s up to him to decide where to play. I decided in my era. Now it’s his turn.”

Striker Carlos Tevez, who scored twice against Mexico – one goal offside, the other stunning, has echoed this confidence, claiming: “I was more afraid of Mexico than Germany, because the Mexicans play better football.”