Messi prepares for Argentina run after impressive start

W Argentina will be led by PSG's Lionel Messi at the FIFA World Cup later this month in Qatar

[{"selector":"#anim-ee1d8754-e7f7-4e66-9f04-60645656cb83","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The 35-year-old has started his second season in France in some of the best form of his career.

[{"selector":"#anim-4bc150b0-2e87-4e44-8fcf-1dc730fc1bbc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Over 17 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, the Parisiens' No. 30 has scored seven goals and added 10 assists in Ligue 1.

[{"selector":"#anim-70aa0206-57ad-4b5f-a3cb-9758b3af998a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] From 18 matches across all competitions, Messi has scored 12 goals and made 14 assists - his best ever tally.

[{"selector":"#anim-a515083e-5272-4961-a0dd-a26a971cc7ac","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] His debut season tally of 11 goals and 14 assists in Ligue 1 and Champions League is already better.

[{"selector":"#anim-36f38d78-470a-4401-8c96-abeb95fa1905","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This year, the former Barcelona man appears more relaxed at Parc des Princes

[{"selector":"#anim-00f1e93a-a6a3-49ac-8326-f0facd554f11","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The South American plays well with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at PSG. Messi's brilliance regularly amazes Christophe Galtier.

[{"selector":"#anim-48342429-1b16-4c4b-8950-439a71d3aabf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Following the recent 3-0 win away at AC Ajaccio, the French tactician said: "People come to see Leo.". "He is the greatest player ever."

[{"selector":"#anim-df40db17-ed41-473a-9924-02b7e035bdc3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A French renaissance has raised some interesting possibilities in La Pulga's twilight years with the French champions keen to keep hold of him,

[{"selector":"#anim-b3ba8db9-a453-45b2-8496-0e86fe0ec917","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Former employers Barca and Major League Soccer are also eager to bring him back to Catalonia.

[{"selector":"#anim-a6cebf1e-5392-43e4-b453-3ca63d3f7c18","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Messi could well remind everyone at the World Cup in Qatar, the country of PSG's owners

[{"selector":"#anim-f4a70619-6acf-4e8f-abdc-eb5ea4e6f668","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] He is still capable of performing at the highest level, not just in Ligue 1 giants' games where they are overwhelming favorites.