Former Argentina international Pablo Sorin has described Lionel Messi as an alien and feels the Barcelona star deserves to win a trophy with the national side before stepping down from the game. The 32-year-old has won numerous accolades with the Blaugrana at the club level and he recently secured a sixth Ballon d’Or crown for his consistent performances through the 2018/19 season.

Despite the laurels, Messi has not achieved any silverware success with Argentina with the best result being the country’s run to the 2014 final where they lost to Germany in added extra-time. Time is certainly running out for the South American star to win something at the international level but Sorin remains hopeful that the once La Masia graduate can win something big with his nation.

He told Ole: "Luckily we played together. He is an alien, there is no way [to stop him]. Messi assumed this reconstruction of the national team from a leading place and not wanting to break anything in there. Then he also understood, as it happens to all of us when we grow up, what is the weight of his voice. I hope we get a result in a major tournament with him. I think that not only Argentines want it but the fans of the world expect him to also win something big with Argentina."

Messi has endured a mixed first half to the current season where he was hampered by a couple of muscular problems but he has nonetheless impressed with 15 goals and nine assists across all competitions. The Argentine is currently with the Blaugrana in Saudi Arabia where they are scheduled to face Atletico Madrid during the semi-final phase. Real Madrid have already progressed to the final with a 3-1 triumph over Valencia and another El Clasico could be on the cards, provided the Catalans are able to outsmart Diego Simeone’s side.