Just one day after Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick against Spain, Lionel Messi was unable to make a telling impact in Argentina's World Cup opener.

In the 64th-minute, he saw his penalty saved by Hannes Halldorsson and Jorge Sampaoli's men were unable to find a winner, drawing 1-1 to Iceland.

Messi will forever be in the conversation when it comes to being the best of all-time, but one thing that's always brought up is his lack of international glory.

The 30-year-old is Argentina's leading scorer with 64 goals in 125 caps, however he is yet to win a major trophy with his country.

Xavi is one man that knows Messi extremely well, and he has had his say on claims that football owes the little magician a World Cup win before his career ends.

Messi's international woes

Messi has led Argentina to two Copa America finals as well as the 2014 World Cup final, but on each occasion, came out on the losing side.

In contrast, ex-Barcelona teammate Xavi was an integral part of the Spanish dominance which saw their nation win Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Xavi reacts to claims Messi needs WC win

According to Xavi, who spent ten years with Messi at the Nou Camp, his legacy as the greatest-ever has already been written and World Cup glory won't change that.

Reacting to Argentina winger Angel Di Maria's comment that "football owes Messi a World Cup", Xavi told Journal du Dimanche, via Goal: "For me, he (Messi) is already the greatest.

“For an active player to say that shines a light on Messi’s greatness," the 38-year-old Spaniard, now at Qatari club Al Sadd SC, added.

The legendary midfielder continued: "In fact, he (Messi) does exactly the same things as Alfredo Di Stefano, Pele, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane.

"But between ten and 50 years after them, when there’s less time to think about what you do in a game (referencing the pace of the modern game)."

Despite his penalty miss, Messi put in a decent performance against Iceland and will hope to inspire Argentina to victory when they face Croatia on Thursday.

Do YOU agree with what Xavi has said about Messi, the World Cup and being the greatest? Share YOUR opinion in the comments box below!