Colombia's James Rodriguez says it would be "unfair" to bill Friday's Copa America quarterfinal against Argentina as a personal duel against Albiceleste superstar Lionel Messi.
Two of the pre-competition favourites meet in the clash at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar, with neither Colombia nor Argentina having hit top form so far, and neither superstar individual having yet put in an outstanding match-winning performance.
The Real Madrid star told a news conference that it was not right to view the upcoming game as a "James versus Messi duel" as he personally sees the Barcelona player as being unique.
"Messi is in another world," James said. "He is a unique player, and you cannot talk about a James versus Messi duel, because that would be unfair to him. Colombia is playing against a tough team with great players."
James, who scored six times as he boosted his profile during last summer's World Cup, has yet to find the net as Colombia progressed to the last eight scoring just once in three group games.
Asked about his subdued performances so far, the 23-year-old admitted he was not fully happy with how things had gone, while saying each of Colombia's group games had been tight affairs where it was difficult to find space to show his skills.
"I never want to play badly, I always try and help the team, but things do not always go as you want," he said. "In these three games, I have had few spaces, they were tight and intense games, and I could not play much."
The winner of the Argentina versus Colombia quarterfinal is likely to be made competition favourite, alongside hosts Chile, given that Brazil look weakened after captain and talisman Neymar was suspended for the remainder of the competition.
Asked about Neymar's decision to leave Chile and not accompany his national squad for their remaining games, James said it was not for him to comment.
"I cannot get into that, I am not a referee," he said. "[Neymar] is taking the decision to leave, it's a personal matter, I'm not getting into it."