Maradona: Messi maturing

Argentina - Argentina coach Diego Maradona says his star striker Lionel Messi is maturing quickly with the World Cup ready to start in 2 1/2 months.

Maradona spoke on Wednesday about the Barcelona forward and said he was able to speak with most of his star players on a recent tour of Europe.

Messi scored 10 goals in a string of four games recently, and is facing ever increasing comparisons to Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and a second-place finish in 1990.

"It's fantastic, I'm really happy about it," Maradona said. "He is maturing in giants steps."

Messi will face tremendous pressure to produce for the Argentina team the way he has for Barcleona. Despite leading Barcelona to the Champions League title last season, the 22-year-old Messi has yet to produce many keys goals for the Gauchos.

Argentina plays in Group B in the World Cup with Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.

Argentina will leave for South Africa after playing Canada in a friendly on May 24 in Buenos Aires.