Doha, December 12 (QNA) - Brazilian football icon Ronaldo said that Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentine national team, should redouble his efforts to win the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, pointing to the huge achievements in the career of the Argentine player.

"We all deserve it. Nobody gives you anything, not even for your story," Ronaldo said in remarks on Monday.

"Argentina isn't playing very well, but they play together, they're aggressive and then there's Messi, who is decisive when he's near the box. He now does less sprints than before.

"At the beginning of his career he did 30 actions and now he does 10, but he is still decisive. As soon as he gets the ball and he sees spaces, or is in the area, he is a killer.

"Would I be happy if Messi won the World Cup? Of course, I would be happy for him, but there is a big rivalry between Brazil and Argentina.

"I'm not going to be hypocritical and say that I would be happy for Argentina, that's not true." Argentina will take on Croatia on Tuesday in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-finals. (QNA)