Former national soccer coach of the men’s United States team Jurgen Klinsmann has said that Argentine superstar Lionel Messi needs to “seal his legacy” by winning the World Cup.

The diminutive Barcelona star has won virtually everything possible in club football but he is yet to win a major trophy for the national side.

Messi led the team to the final of the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments but they ended up runners up on both occasions. They had finished runners up at the 2014 World Cup as well. Their World cup hopes for the World Cup 2018 is shaky and the team does not seem like one that would pose major threat if they eventually make it.

“There’s a chance he’ll get it in Russia next year. A player like Messi needs to seal his legacy by winning the World Cup. I want him to win it because he deserves it,” Klinsmann said.

Klinsmann himself helped West Germany defeat Argentina in the 1990 World Cup final. He is rooting for Messi to make his marks in the sands of history at Russia next year as he may not have it in him in 2022 in Qatar due to age and decline limitations.

Klinsmann told Goal of his love for Maradona and Messi. He spoke lovingly of Messi’s humility and his great character. He praised Messi’s goal scoring ability and called the player “a perfectionist.”

Messi would face a mountain of tasks if he is to achieve the dream of winning the World Cup with the current Argentine team. Brazil have qualified for the tournament as the first team aside the hosts Russia. Argentina are hoping to make the last automatic qualification spot or make the playoff spot through finishing fifth in the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.