体坛英语新闻：Messi promises "to shift gears"

BUENOS AIRES, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Famed Argentine footballer Lionel Messi Tuesday promised "to shift gears" and improve his game at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, which begins in mid-June.

Widely considered one of the top two players in the world, Messi has had a disappointing season with his professional club, Spain's Barcelona, but hopes to do better playing for his national team when it competes in the ultimate championship.

"When I join my teammates, my friends (at training camp) ... it 's going to be a different story," Messi told reporters upon arriving at the Ezeiza International Airport outside Buenos Aires.

"I know that now, with the national team, I will shift gears, as happened many times in the past, but in reverse; things wouldn' t turn out well for me on the national team, but with Barcelona I played well. Let's hope this time it happens the other way around, " said Messi.

Despite having Messi, 26, in its ranks, Barcelona failed to make it to the regional finals of the European Championship.

Asked what it takes to win the World Cup, Messi said "a strong team, and I think we have one, and a little bit of luck."

His recent lackluster performance in Barcelona has sparked criticism from some fans, and Messi said he would "have no problem " with being transferred.

"I have said it many times, that Barcelona is my home, but the day the people no longer want me there, I'll leave," he said. "If they decide I have to go, I have no problem with that."

Messi is scheduled to rest in his hometown of Rosario, 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires, before joining the national lineup for pre-World Cup practice sessions. Argentina's first World Cup match is against Bosnia on June 15.