Can Messi emulate Maradona?

Co-incidentally, Both of Messi's previous World Cups ended at Germany's hands, with a penalty shootout defeat in the 2006 quarterfinals followed by a chastening 4-0 drubbing at the same stage four years later. Personal vendettas, however, do not appear to motivate the softly spoken forward, who declared after winning his third Ballon d'Or in 2012 that all he wanted was for "people (to) remember my football". His 354 goals in 425 games for Barcelona -- not to mention the three Champions League titles and six La Liga crowns, amongst other trophies -- have already made sure of that, but what is at stake on Sunday is undisputable sporting immortality.As he wrote to his followers on Instagram after the penalty shootout victory over the Dutch: "We have one little step left."