Lionel Messi has said that he is relishing the prospect of playing in the Club World Cup championship. Many regard it to be an unwanted distraction from the domestic and European challenges, but Lionel Messi seems to differ from this attitude.
Barcelona have already won the Club World Cup a few seasons ago and they will be playing in Japan in this years competition after having won the Champions League title last season. Barcelona are widely regarded to be the best team in the world right now, but their form has been slightly different in the last few weeks.
The prospect of winning the Club World Cup has already made Lionel Messi excited. The Argentine star has won almost every major trophy in the world apart from the World Cup. The Club World Cup would be the second of this collection.
“It’s amazing to play in the FIFA Club World Cup – it’s a very important trophy for us. We have some fantastic memories of the last one and can’t wait to live through it all again – and hopefully celebrate in the same style,” Lionel Messi said when asked about the Club World Cup.
Barcelona won against Estudiantes in 2009, but it was not the usual Barcelona kind of performance. Estudiantes were able to take the match into extra time, but Barcelona came out strongest in the extra time. Guardiola will be hoping that they demonstrate the fact that they are the best team in the world by thrashing their opponents this time around.
Barcelona will be playing in the El Clasico before jetting out to Japan to play in the Club World Cup. Real Madrid currently have a six-point advantage over Barcelona, and Messi is also looking to bring down that point deficit down to three points.