Argentina excited about Leo Messi and Icardi partnership

Mauro Icardi's exhibition of goals for Inter Milan against Sampdoria has kickstarted the big debate in Argentina over who should partner Lionel Messi in the World Cup.

The Inter forward demonstated his great form with four goals in the 5-0 thashing of Sampdoria and is the second top scorer in Serie A behind Lazio's Ciro Immobile.

Gabriel Batistuta, the former top goalscorer in Argentina's history until Messi usurped him, began the debate on social media after Messi's excellent display against Athletic Bilbao and Icardi's goal feast.

La mejor cuenta regresiva de #Messi al #MundialRusia2018 mientras #Icardi presiona con sus goles . pic.twitter.com/Q8KXXn0IGO

— Gabriel Batistuta (@GBatistutaOK) 18 de marzo de 2018

'Batigol' believes Messi is in the best shape possible ahead of the World Cup and that Icardi is banging on the door with his goals.

However, Icardi has not been called up by Sampaoli to play the international friendlies against Italy and Spain on March 23 and March 27. Right now, Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuan appears to be the frontrunner in the race to be Argentina's centreforward.

Despite everything, in Argentina they are beginning to get excited about a strike partnership that combines the best play from deep of Messi with the ruthless finishing of Icardi, while there is a lot of scepticism bearing in mind the contrasting performances of the two players in their last few games.

It should be pointed out that Icardi caused trouble with the cooaching staff in his last appearance in the squad, according to Fox Sports, and they believe he didn't have a good enough attitude to be worthy of a call up for the World Cup, as he left the squad early "because of a knock". Therefore, the absence of Icardi from Sampaoli's latest squad list might not be for footballing reasons alone.