Buenos Aires, July 7 -- Former Argentina manager Jose Pekerman, who was in charge of the men's national side during legendary Lionel Messi's FIFA World Cup debut back in 2006, hailed the national side's FIFA World Cup-winning icon for his record-breaking ways and how he has achieved so much without " losing his essence as a person".

Argentina's FIFA World Cup journey will continue in the round of 16 against Egypt in their next match scheduled for July 7, 9:30 PM IST.

The tournament has seen Messi break records on records, such as becoming the all-time leading FIFA WC scorer with 20 goals, becoming the first-ever player to score in eight successive FIFA WC matches and being involved in most assists in FIFA WC history. The tournament star...