In Barcelona’s colours, Messi has experienced nothing but success, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns, while earning FIFA’s Ballon d’Or award five times.

But pulling on Argentina’s blue-and-white striped shirt has brought the forward some of the most painful moments of his career.

Rarely able to hit the same heights with Argentina that he routinely scales with Barcelona, Messi has endured stinging criticism from albiceleste fans at times.

Nobody would dispute Messi’s status as one of the all-time greats, but many in Argentina believe he cannot be considered on the same level as Diego Maradona until he wins a major honour with his country, as his compatriot did at the 1986 World Cup.

Rubbing salt into those wounds, Messi has lost in three successive major finals with Argentina as the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa America titles slipped from his grasp.

“I cried many times because of games like these, for lost finals, for what they mean and for not being able to achieve the dream of a country. It was a hard blow to take,” Messi recently told Argentine television programme La Cornisa.

The last World Cup was devastating to Messi as he missed a golden opportunity to put Argentina ahead in the final against Germany, who went on to win 1-0 in extra-time.

As if that was not bad enough, for the first time in his career, he missed in a penalty shootout when Argentina were beaten by Chile in the Copa America final two years ago.

– Last chance? –

Although Messi is still in his prime, the 30-year-old realises the World Cup in Russia, which starts in June, could represent his last chance to hoist the famous gold trophy.

He will be approaching the twilight of his career by the time the 2022 edition kicks off in Qatar.

Messi will have also noted that key Argentina team-mates Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi and Javier Mascherano will all be 30 or over this year.

“Obviously, we depend on results and therefore the thinking in this group is that having got to three finals and not being able to win and even then people say a lot of things about us, if we are not champions then we won’t have another one (opportunity),” Messi said.

Having edged through to the finals thanks to Messi’s treble in a 3-1 win over Ecuador in October, Argentina are focused on peaking in Russia, where they will play Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria in the group stage.

First up is an intriguing test against an Italy side that failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli believes the match at Manchester City’s ground will help to sharpen his side before a second friendly in Spain next week.

“Each match and training session is fundamental for us in preparation for the World Cup. Playing against Italy, in a venue as important as Etihad Stadium, is an invitation to a great event,” he said.

“Every Argentine in the world wants to be there when the national team plays. We are certain they will accompany us for this one.”

He will be taking on the legendary, reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes (21-3) of Brazil in what should be an action-packed matchup.

The two martial artists are wrapping up their preparations and getting ready to ascend the ONE Championship cage this weekend, and Bangkok is pulsating with excitement. Also on the card are local stars Shannon Wiratchai and Rika Ishige, as well as Muay Thai legend Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.

Nguyen and Fernandes recently spoke to media ahead of their monumental clash this Saturday, and here’s what they had to say.

Martin Nguyen:

“I feel incredibly honored to be given the chance to show what I can do inside the cage, in front of millions of fans who believe in me and support me. It’s an overwhelming feeling. Bibiano Fernandes is an absolute legend in martial arts, and considered one of the best bantamweights in the world, and it is an honor for me to test myself against him.”

“I’m working round the clock to give the performance of a lifetime. All my matches ended within the distance, and I plan to end this one early too. I’m definitely looking to finish. I know Bibiano will be the best opponent I have ever faced, but I’m going to go in there and do my thing. I think I can catch him late and my youth and athleticism will be too much. It’s time to make history again.”

Martin Nguyen

“Competing in Bangkok is a privilege. Thailand is such a beautiful country. I can’t wait to showcase my skills to fans in Thailand. There are a ton of Muay Thai legends in Thailand and martial arts owes a great deal to the country. I am proud to be among those legends. This event is historic and the biggest night of my career.”

Bibiano Fernandes:

“I’m not just competing for the belt anymore, to me, it’s all about challenges now. I want to challenge myself and see how far my skills have progressed. Martin Nguyen is a great challenge for me, one of the biggest of my career. Everyone is talking about his power and how he’s going to know me out. I would like to see if he can. When he won the featherweight and lightweight world titles, it’s was definitely impressive. But this is my division. He’s coming into my territory and I will defend it. This challenge really motivates me to be at my best.”

“I know he has a powerful right hand and a good left hook, so I’m excited to experience them. I’ve studied him and I understand his movements. I’ve seen it all before in my career. Everyone says he is going to knock me out, but we’ll see. I have been training very hard each day. I don’t go out, I don’t party. I’m a family man. I get up in the morning, train, rest, spend some time with my family, and then train some more. This is my life. I have complete focus on preparing for this bout.”

“I am thankful for the opportunities ONE Championship has given me to see the world, travel all across Asia and now to perform in Thailand, it’s my honor. This is going to be one of the biggest events in the history of martial arts in Asia, and I plan to be on the winning end of it. I will do everything I can to keep the belt and give the best performance of my life.”