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Longtime Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz says Lionel Messi must win a title with the national team to begin to meet the expectations Argentine fans have set for him. Messi has led the Albiceleste to consecutive finals at the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 Copa America, falling short each time. Argentina haven't won a major competition since the 1993 Copa America, but have another opportunity to end the drought at the Copa Centenario this summer in the United States. The 28-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been criticised at times for not reproducing his scintillating Barcelona form with Argentina. Santa Cruz refutes that criticism, but advises the only way to end it is through national team glory. Santa Cruz told Omnisport: "I think Messi found his place -- I think it is the Argentine public's pressure that still talks about a Messi that is not the same one at Barcelona. "Having seen him at different tournaments and competitions I can say that he is always one of the best and performs at a high level. But he still must win a title with Argentina to be close to what the Argentine public thinks he can achieve." Santa Cruz, who was not included in his country's 23-man squad for the tournament, spoke about his country's chances in the United States as well as the other South American contenders. "Paraguay are always a very solid team, very strong and very sacrificed," Paraguay's all-time leading goalscorer said. "Once again they are regaining the level we had a couple years back, so it is a Copa America that we are all going to play wanting to win it. That will be our main target. "Argentina are always a candidate for what they have, Messi and a lot of other players performing at the best leagues. Brazil are not going through a very good moment but besides that they always have great players. "Also Colombia and Chile can be candidates as well because of the moment they are living and the players they have."
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