The latest Argentina team news indicates that Messi is set to start for Jorge Sampaoli on Saturday.

Argentina are looking to go one better than their last World Cup campaign, when they reached the final in Brazil.

And Messi, who was crowned the player of the tournament at Brazil 2014, is due to keep his place in the side on Saturday, reports the Daily Express.

However, the Barcelona superstar is set to be given a new role in the side as Jorge Sampaoli desperately seeks to find a winning formula.

Argentina have flattered to deceive at the World Cup in Russia this summer and Messi boasts just one goal for the tournament so far.

It is understood Messi is set to play behind two main strikers in Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero.

The hope is that he can find the form he excels with so much at Barcelona when not playing as a central striker.

Lionel Messi proved for his club side this season that he can play as part of a forward pair, alongside Uruguay’s Luis Suarez.

But that dynamic with Higuain has failed and Sampaoli will make changes for the France game, which kicks off at 3pm.

Aguero or Paulo Dybala could therefore start, with Messi given a free role to show off his talents in Kazan.

As for Messi, Sampaoli has challenged the star’s Argentina team-mates to step up to his level.

‘Leo has such clear vision when it comes to football that he allows us to see things that, sometimes, only a true genius sees,’ said Sampaoli.

‘It's often difficult to be at the level of such a great player.

‘He's a shining light for us all and we have to do our very best to all try to be at his level.’