Argentina hero Lionel Messi is adamant his nation ‘deserve’ to be at the World Cup despite needing a last day win in Ecuador to seal qualification.
The Barcelona star netted a hat-trick for Jorge Sampaoli’s side in the Ecuadorian capital Quito after they had fallen behind in the first minute of their must win qualifier.
“We deserve to be there after what we have gone through during qualifying,” Messi told reporters after the match, as quoted by Marca.
“We did not deserve to miss out and our place at the tournament is merited, of course things were made even more difficult for us when we went a goal behind.
“It isn’t easy to play here with the unique conditions (the high altitude in Quito) but fortunately for us everything went perfectly.
“It was important for us that everything went well and when everybody is together in the same direction, it is a lot easier for us.”
