Diego Maradona would be super happy for me: Messi

Lionel Messi has claimed that Diego Maradona would be super happy for him after the 35-year-old became Argentina's most capped player in the World Cup on Wednesday.

Messi made his 22nd appearance against Poland in their final group stage game, where the Albiceleste won 2-0 to qualify for the Round Of 16 stages.

Speaking to the reporters, as quoted by AFP, the 35-year-old said it's a pleasure to achieve such records and said that Maradona would be happy for him.

"I learned it recently, I didn't know it. It's a pleasure to be able to continue to achieve these kinds of records. I think Diego would be super happy for me because he always showed me a lot of affection, he was always happy when things went well for me," said Messi.

Messi missed a penalty against Poland but the star forward is happy that Argentina was able to get out of the group. He admitted that he was frustrated with his miss from the spot but said that the team came out stronger after that.

"We achieved our first objective, which was to get out of the group after starting the way we did (a shock 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia)," said Messi.

"I was really frustrated to have missed the penalty, because I knew that a goal could change the whole match, that it makes you play in a different way. But I think that from the penalty I missed, the team came out stronger."

"After the first goal, everything went our way. We started doing again what we had been trying to do since the start of the World Cup, but which we hadn't been able to achieve for various reasons. "Having been able to do it today, it gives us confidence for the future."

Argentina will now face Australia in the Round Of 16 and Messi admitted that the game against the Socceroos will be a difficult one.

"The match against Australia is going to be very difficult. Anyone can beat anyone, everything is very even. We have to prepare the game in the best way as we always do," said Messi.