How Lionel Messi is preparing for his challenges in 2018

Lionel Messi has a dream. To win the World Cup with Argentina, at long last. But he is also anxious to win titles with Barcelona, especially the Champions League. After a great 2017, which finished in the best way possible, putting on a superb show at the Santiago Bernabeu, 2018 could be the year of his life. He has a plan.

Messi will fight to the end for the dream which has become an obsession after defeat in the final in 2014, and that will mean good things for Barcelona. He wil turn 31 next year and wants to win everything possible with Barcelona before heading to Russia. 

"I'm not thinking about the future, I'm thinking about the short term," said Messi, referring to his commitments with Barcelona in an interview with TYC Sports a month ago. 

Barcelona are 14 points ahead of Madrid in La Liga and everything is going well on that front. So too, as Barcelona fight for the sixth Champions League trophy in the club's history, and another Copa del Rey.

FIGHTING FOR IT ALL

Barcelona's year starts in Vigo, against Celta in the Copa del Rey. Messi cannot be there. No problem. It's part of Valverde's strategy, just as it was when he benched Leo against Juventus in the Champions league. Barcelona want their star to be at his best at the decisive moments. 

It's easy to imagine Valverde will leave Messi out on other occasions in 2018 too. There will be games he cannot miss, like against Chelsea in the Champions League - February 20, at Stamford Bridge and March 14 at Camp Nou. Messi understands he needs to rest, he knows he is not a kid any more.

Russia may be his last World Cup. He's played in three already, including disappointment in 2014 against Brazil. Messi has also suffered defeat in the Copa America final twice, 2015 and 2016. Winning a title with Argentina would be a result which would see him surpass his doubters and beat a load more records.

Argentina have gone 24 years without at title. Messi has promised that if he wins it he wil walk 70 kilometres between Rosario and the Basilica of Saint Nicolas. 2018 may be the year.