Uruguay standing in the way of Messi, Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP):

Fans bombarded Lionel Messi with jeers and graphic profanities last week in a disorganised 0-0 draw against Colombia, illustrating what his father Jorge called the "terrible pressure'' on the Barcelona star at home during the Copa America.

It could get even uglier if Argentina lose to Uruguay today in a quarter-final being played in the northern city of Santa Fe, the same venue as for last week's debacle and just a short drive from Messi's birthplace in Rosario.

"Against Uruguay, this is a final,'' said Messi, who has not scored for Argentina in his last 15 competitive internationals, including the Copa America, World Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

The other three weekend quarter-finals offer more regional intrigue. Colombia face Peru today before two-time defending champions Brazil play Paraguay and Vene-zuela take on Chile tomorrow.

Messi and Argentina redeemed themselves on Monday, defeating Costa Rica 3-0. After two miserable opening games, coach Sergio Batista dropped Messi back into a playmaker role. He dribbled and turned just as he does at Barcelona, threading passes to forwards Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.

Batista will go with the same 11 with Fernando Gago and Javier Mascherano at midfield.

Unimpressive victory

The victory still wasn't overly impressive, as Costa Rica fielded an under-23, Olympic-style team in the South American championship, where they played as a guest from the CONCACAF region.

Uruguay, meanwhile, have one of the most experienced teams in the tournament led by forwards Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez.

Messi, who has hardly spoken publicly during the first two weeks, held his first news conference on Thursday and was immediately asked if - faced with the nasty insults from fans - he intended to keep playing for Argentina's national team.

"Although they criticise me, I will always come to the national team,'' Messi said. "Criticism by the fans bothers me and everyone, but we are aware that we didn't do things correctly. ... Nobody likes to be whistled at. It happened because the team did not play well.''

The game could centre around two forwards who are teammates at Atletico de Madrid - Forlan and Argentina's Sergio Aguero.

Aguero, who has said he "will not return'' to the Madrid club, has scored three of Argentina's four goals.

Forlan is in a terrible slump. Voted the best player in last year's World Cup, he has not scored a goal with the national team since South Africa. His last goal with Atletico de Madrid was in March.