Messi may be world’s best player, but Kempes says it takes entire team to win World Cup

Kempes: Argentina can’t rely on Messi alone

CHICAGO — Argentina can’t rely solely on Lionel Messi if it hopes to make a deep run at the World Cup, former Argentine great Mario Kempes says.

The reigning FIFA player of the year can be the difference in some games, Kempes said Wednesday. But it’s the teams that surround their best players with other talent that win championships, and Kempes says Diego Maradona has to find the right combination before Argentina opens against Nigeria on June 12.

Messi has been sublime for Barcelona, leading the Spanish league (34) and Europe (47) in goals. Argentina also has Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero and Martin Palermo at forward.

That’s a talented group that’s scored a lot of goals says Kempes, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1978.