Messi not the only key to success, insists Heinze

Heinze spent two seasons at Real Madrid before joining Marseille (Photo: Juan Fernández)

Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze has emphasised the confidence he has in his side’s ability to perform well as a team at the World Cup.

The former Manchester United defender, who now plays his football at Marseille, said that his side will perform as a team and not be reliant on individuals such as Lionel Messi, who will be looking to replicate his outstanding form with Barcelona for his national side in South Africa.

“Tough tournaments like this one are won by teams, not by one player,” Heinze said in a press conference.

“Of course everybody will be anxious to see Messi simply because is unbelievable in what he is capable of doing, but he is human and can also make mistakes.

“Many [of our players] have had a very good year, so why can they not collectively do great things? We are working to ensure that individuals are transformed into a collective.”

Heinze has been scrutinised by many football pundits for his lacklustre performances on the international stage over the past year. But the former Real Madrid man believes he is often given a hard time by many football pundits and suggested his actions on the pitch in South Africa will prove his doubters wrong.

“I can’t understand where you are going with his kind of question,” he said. “Facts tell us a lot more than words, and I know who I am.

“We have different perceptions of what you call ‘people’. I have always been highly criticised by the media but not by the people. This is a free world and everybody is free to think what they want and criticise whoever they want to.”