Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has warned opponents in Brazil that he and his team-mates are motivated to win the World Cup.
The tournament has so far been a whirlwind of activity littered with excitement, controversy and upsets during the early exchanges.
Two people that have been missing are the world's best, Messi and Crictiano Ronaldo.
That all changes tonight, however, as Messi enters the fray as he attempts to assert his name in the history books by inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in South America.
The fact that the competition is in Brazil makes winning the World Cup an even sweeter prospect for Messi.
"I hope it’s the summer that Argentina become champions," said the 26-year-old. "I know how much it would mean to every person back home. I’m going to Brazil because I want to be a champion, and win the World Cup for my teammates, my family, my people. We are motivated, we are ready."
"I’d be lying to say that it wouldn’t be very special [to win in Brazil]. Brazil against Argentina in the final at the Maracana? That would be some dream, wouldn’t it? You can only imagine how much the people back home in Argentina would love it if we could beat Brazil – it would be talked about forever.
"I know the passion of our people, and they have just as much love for football as the Brazilians do, it is fantastic. We should have a lot of fans in Brazil, too, so hopefully our games can feel like home matches, even though they aren’t."
Messi also praised the work of Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella, saying the 59-year-old breathes confidence into him and his compatriots.
"Sabella is very good at varying our play, and the way we qualified with a bit of style should make us very confident. Topping the South American group was an achievement. We have played 4-4-1-1 with me behind Gonzalo Higuain, and we have used 4-3-3. We have a lot of great players, so the side should score goals."
