Argentina forward Lionel Messi is feeling upbeat ahead of the forthcoming World Cup in Germany, insisting his fitness is improving "day by day".

The 18-year-old Barcelona player has been sidelined for almost three months with a thigh injury sustained in a Champions League encounter against Chelsea.

But Messi played the final half hour in Argentina's 2-0 victory in Salerno in Italy on Tuesday and has suffered no reaction to the injury.

He said: "I'm adding minutes and getting some rhythm. I'm happy because I'm improving day by day. There's no pain at all but I must go day by day."

Argentina arrived at their Herzogenaurach base last night and launch their Group C campaign against the Ivory Coast in Hamburg on June 10th.