Lionel Messi believes he has improved his game since Barcelona last played in the Club World Cup in 2011.
Barcelona traveled to Yokohama on Sunday and face Asian Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande in Club World Cup semifinals on Dec. 17. The Chinese side, who are managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, defeated Mexican side Club America 2-1 in quarterfinals.
"As time passes you grow, both on and off the pitch, you go about adapting to different circumstances," Messi told FIFA.com. "I think that, although I've kept the essence [of my style of play], over the years I've added qualities to my game."
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner said Barcelona have also evolved and are eager to cap an incredible 2015, which featured wins in La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League and UEFA Super Cup, with a Club World Cup title.
"There's no need [to search for motivation]! We know just how much the Club World Cup means and for us it's about winning another title, these championship wins are an indelible legacy in the history of the club. It's something very important," the 28-year-old said.
"It's been an amazing year. That time when we won everything under [Pep] Guardiola [in 2009] looked unrepeatable, we genuinely weren't sure if we'd one day get close to that again," he said. "And here we are. Now what's left for us to do is end the year in the best possible way and make it unforgettable.
"We've changed a little bit. We've become a more vertical [direct] team," Messi said. "Of course, we've not lost our ideology of keeping hold of the ball, that's our trademark and our priority: to control the play and keep possession as much as we possibly can. But now we've incorporated the idea that, with just a couple of touches, we can get in front of the opposition's goal. Before it was about getting there using more elaborate build-up play."
#INSERT type:image caption:Lionel Messi said Barcelona want to win Club World Cup to cap an indelible legacy. END#
Barcelona beat Santos 4-0 in the final in 2011, with the Brazilian club featuring at the time future Barcelona star Neymar. Messi said he has witnessed the incredible growth of his current teammate since that meeting.
"A lot of time's gone by since then and I've witnessed his enormous growth, both as a footballer and as a person. Back then he was already a really great player and now he's even more so, he's much more complete. Truthfully, it's a pleasure and a privilege to have him alongside us now."
In 2009, Messi helped the Catalan team to a dramatic 2-1 win over Argentine side Estudiantes La Plata. A win by Barcelona could set up a potential match against another Argentine side, River Plate, in the final.
"It's a strange feeling. In my whole career I've only played against an Argentinian club once, and it was that final against Estudiantes," Messi said. "It was a very tough game, one in which we were losing for a long period and managed to equalise right on full time, before going on to win it in extra time. But it's also something that motivates me, because River are a big club on a global scale. I think that if we play against them it'll be a good match."
Messi said he is looking forward to playing in Japan.
"It's a really nice competition, one of my favourites. Both because of its importance but also due to what it signifies: having won the Champions League [to qualify]. And it gives you the opportunity to round off the year in the best possible way. So, I'm very happy to be with all my team-mates, preparing for it. Our aim is to be able to lift that cup and then enjoy the holiday season with our families, with the championship in the bag."