Argentina have sought a new Diego Maradona [Images] ever since the exit of their former captain and inspiration more than 10 years ago.

Talented players labelled the "new Maradona", such as Ariel Ortega and Pablo Aimar, have failed to inspire Argentina to go beyond the quarter-finals since 1990.

Lionel Messi [Images] could be different, though, and that is what Argentines are hoping so that they can bury the bitter memory of the team's first-round elimination in Asia four years ago.

The 18-year-old Messi nursed an injury for the last few weeks of the season just ended, but should be fit by the time the finals start next month.

Juan Roman Riquelme, who like Messi was born on June 24 but is nine years his senior, is regarded as the fulcrum of Jose Pekerman's team but, a one-time "new Maradona" himself, he would be happy to play the Jorge Burruchaga role to Messi's Maradona 1986 vintage.

Pekerman said: "The good thing about our country is that suddenly there is a surprise appearance as happened for us with Messi.

"Messi and I favour players over the [tactical] system."

Messi enjoys several parallels with Maradona, such as leading Argentina to World Youth Cup victory, an international debut as a teenager against Hungary and playing for Barcelona.

His arrival in Spain, however, was quite different to Maradona's -- as a 13-year-old seeking expensive treatment for a hormone deficiency which neither his parents nor the club of his early years, Newell's Old Boys, could afford.

He made his mark quickly and emphatically on the biggest European stage and at a tender 18 years of age, showing lethal pace, brilliant close control, incisive passing and an eye for goal in Champions League appearances for the Spanish giants.

The World Cup stage in Germany [Images] should inspire rather than overawe Messi, who scored his first international goal in the 3-2 friendly defeat by Croatia in Basel in March in his sixth match and third start for Argentina.