Messi Believes He's Not As Good As Maradona

Argentina star Lionel Messi has declared that he is embarrassed to be compared to World Cup winning legend and current coach Diego Maradona.

The Barcelona forward and current FIFA World Player of the Year is regularly judged against the abilities of the past master Maradona but Messi says he doesn't like the comparisons, labelling them an "offence" to 'El Pelusa'.

The talismanic 22-year-old also declared that he still has to prove himself at a World Cup finals to be considered amongst the greats.

"I do not like it. I'm embarrassed that I get compared to Diego," Messi told Sport.

"It's an offence [to him].

"To be the best player in the world I have to prove it at the World Cup."

Messi is proud to represent the Albicelestes at the World Cup this summer.

"I am Argentine and I like to play for my country."

Argentina kick off their World Cup campaign against Nigeria on June 12.

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Maradona Explains Why Messi Didnt Play Canada Game And His World Cup Promise

Argentina are by many considered to be one of the favourites to win the 2010 World Cup, but this hasn't stopped head coach Diego Armando Maradona from making a rather obscure promise if the Argentinians indeed win the tournament.

The flamboyant gaffer has promised that he'll run naked through the streets of Buenos Aires if the Albiceleste lift the trophy in South Africa after the World Cup final on July 11.

"If we win the World Cup, I'll get naked and run around the Obelisk in the centre of the city," Maradona was quoted as saying by reporters, according to AP.

Maradona also revealed that he had to explain to Lionel Messi why the Barcelona star didn't play in the international friendly against Canada earlier this week.

"If something would have happened to you in that match, I'd have been kicked. You can imagine where," said Maradona to his star player.

Argentina will have to deal with Nigeria, Greece and South Korea in the group phase of the 2010 World Cup.

Arsenal Chairman Not Denying Fabregas Tranfers Talks

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has refused to confirm or deny Cesc Fabregas' move to Barcelona, but insists that the club will back manager Arsene Wenger in the transfer market this summer.

Hill-Wood stated that Wenger will be able to use whatever income is generated from player sales to invest in new talent as the club look to challenge Chelsea and Manchester United for the Premier League title next season.

"It is our policy that we give the manager a transfer budget, which includes the ability to use all the money from player sales,'' he told Soccernet.

"He [Wenger] will get the money no matter how much we got from selling a player."

With no pressure to sell from the Gunners board, Barcelona may be forced to pay more than they bargained for if they are to get their No.1 target Fabregas.

Hill-Wood himself refused to comment on the issue of the Spanish midfielder’s future, perhaps not wanting to fuel speculation further.

"Fabregas might stay, he might go, I have no idea, and have no intention of making any comment on the subject,” he said.

Barcelona Re Started Negotiations For Mascherano

Spanish champions Barcelona have re-ignited their interest in Liverpool's Argentinian international Javier Mascherano, according to a report in El Mundo Deportivo.

The Blaugrana were desperate to sign Mascherano in the summer of 2009, but the transfer eventually fell through after Barcelona failed to reach an agreement with Liverpool.

The Liga champions are in the market for a new holding midfielder due to the ongoing uncertainty about the future of Yaya Toure, who is continually being linked with a move to the Premier League, and Barca supposedly see Mascherano as the perfect replacement.

Mascherano's current Liverpool deal runs until the summer of 2012, but the Reds could be tempted to cash in on the 25-year-old in the upcoming summer transfer window if a good offer comes in.

The holding midfielder has stated in the past that he'd be interested in joining Barcelona and Liverpool's failure to qualify for Champions League football could very well have increased Mascherano's desire to leave the Premier League side this summer.