Javier Pastore: I play to help Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria

Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore has declared he believes it is his role to help get the best out of Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria, rather than seeking glory for himself.

Pastore impressed as his side booked their place in the Copa America final with a 6-1 thrashing of Paraguay in the last four, getting on the scoresheet in the process.

But he insists he feels it is his job to assist his attacking team-mates, as Argentina seek their first Copa title in 22 years.

"I am playing here to make things easier for Leo and for Di Maria," Pastore told the Copa America website.

"What I like most is setting up goals. When I give a pass that ends up being a goal I enjoy it more than anything else.

"Messi likes all sorts of passes, because whether you give it to him on his chest, his head or his feet, he always controls it well.

"He likes short passes a lot, so that he can play a one-two. He does that a lot for his club and I have seen it in training here. What he likes best is to have players nearby so he can receive the ball back."

Messi has scored just once at the Copa America  so far, but has still impressed in their run to the final.

And after coming agonisingly close at the World Cup last summer, Messi is finally closing in on his ambition of winning a major tournament with Argentina. 

"This generation is desperate to win a title with the national team," said Messi on the eve of the tournament.

"As a team, we deserve to win something and it would mean so much after the World Cup last year where we came so close." 

While Messi's team-mate Sergio Aguero doesn't believe that defeat is an option.

"If this generation of players don't win anything we're going to regret it for the rest of our lives," the Manchester City striker said.