The Barcelona superstar is widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all-time, and he is always compared to fellow countryman Diego Maradona, the man who inspired Argentina to hoist the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Messi has struggled to replicate club success with Argentina, despite being close to lifting silverware with the national side on several occasions.
Crespo believes the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s career will not be defined by winning the World Cup but insists Messi deserves to win the most coveted trophy in football before he retires.
“It is very difficult to be Messi. Nobody can put himself in his place as nobody could, at the time, put himself in Maradona’s place,” Crespo told Ole.
“Actually, if you think about it, somehow it is soccer that owes [a World Cup to] Messi. But that is not going to take away greatness.
“We are Argentines and we want him to be world champion. I want it all my heart, but he goes beyond a title and he will not stop being immense.”
Despite failing to bring success back to his country, Messi is La Albiceleste’s leading scorer, having netted 68 times in 123 matches since he made his senior debut in 2005.
