Palacio 'dreams' of Messi partnership

Mar 20, 2013 11:15:00 AM

The Inter attacker is relishing the prospect of potentially lining up alongside the Ballon d'Or winner in this week's World Cup qualifier for Argentina against Venezuela

Rodrigo Palacio is eagerly anticipating Argentina's World Cup qualifier at home against Venezuela as he hopes to get the chance to team up with Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The Inter forward received a call-up for the national side again following a string of fine performances at club level, and he is keen to learn a thing or two from the 2012 Fifa Ballon d'Or winner.

"I think that for me and for the other players it's already an honour to have him [Messi] with us in the team," Palacio told ESPN Deportes.

"It will be a dream to play alongside him. I always try to play in the same way and stay true to myself.

"We're all trying to stay close to him in order to take advantage of the opportunity to learn something from him and improve."

Argentine sit atop of the table in the Conmebol qualification campaign with 20 points from nine games, holding a three-point lead over Ecuador. Their opponents Venezuela, meanwhile, are in fourth place on 12.

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