Lionel Messi has admitted he has little chance of playing in Argentina's World Cup opener against Ivory Coast on June 10.

The teenager has been sidelined since suffering a thigh injury while playing for Barcelona in a Champions League match against Chelsea in March and is still undergoing intensive treatment on the problem.

He managed a 15-minute run out for Argentina in a training game against the national Under-20 team earlier in the week and is confident he will be fit to play some part in Germany.

Asked about his chances of facing Ivory Coast, Messi replied: "I don't think I'll be in the team. I haven't played much, I've been out of action for some time.

"I know I still have some way to go, but I'm relaxed, I know I have to keep working and feel better each day.

"I think I'll get into rhythm in the time left before the World Cup. I want to play the final and I hope we meet Brazil."