BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Para un artista del fútbol como es Lionel Messi, a la pelota se la trata con cariño. Pero la prioridad con la selección argentina es ganar, quizás hasta jugando mal, porque sumar puntos es vital en las eliminatorias sudamericanas para Brasil 2014.

Esa fue la síntesis de Messi el martes al destacar que "queremos jugar bien, pero lo importante es ganar" cuando Argentina reciba el viernes a Paraguay y el martes visite a Perú.

"Paraguay y Perú van a ser dos rivales muy complicados como todos los partidos de eliminatorias", señaló el magistral delantero del Barcelona español, quien habló en una caótica reunión de prensa en el cuartel general de los argentinos en la vecina ciudad de Ezeiza.

"Por ahí, por resultados, no llegan en su mejor momento, pero serán difíciles", agregó Messi en la puerta de acceso al edificio principal de esa concentración, rodeado por decenas de periodistas ya que no se habilitó una sala de conferencias que hay en el lugar.

La "Pulga", según dijo el jefe de prensa Andrés Ventura, no quiso privilegios y atendió en un sector en el que lo hacen el resto de sus compañeros.

Messi, el mejor jugador del mundo, dijo que la clave de Argentina para seguir sumando puntos es una combinación de factores.

"Hay que intentar de ser protagonistas, tener la pelota, atacar y jugar bien al fútbol, como venimos haciendo hasta ahora", subrayó Messi. "Pero lo importante es ganar".

Messi llegó en la madrugada del martes y no participó de una práctica de fútbol dirigida por el técnico Alejandro Sabella, en la que no se desnudaron las tácticas que aplicarán los Albicelestes para sus duelos ante Paraguay y Perú.

El dibujo táctico de Sabella, al menos ante Paraguay, se complicó en el ataque por la ausencia de Sergio Agüero, delantero del Manchester City quien sufre una distensión de ligamentos en la rodilla derecha y además está suspendido por un partido por acumulación de amarillas.

Messi estará en el ataque con Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid, España) por izquierda y con Ezequiel Lavezzi (París Saint Germain, Francia) por derecha.

"El 'Kun' (Agüero) es un jugador desequilibrante para nosotros, pero jugaré con el que decida el técnico, aunque me gusta jugar con dos delanteros y yo atrás", dijo Messi, quien llegó sin su compañero del Barcelona Javier Mascherano, quien tampoco jugará ante Paraguay por acumular dos amonestaciones y que recién arribaría el miércoles.

Argentina, que hará su primera practica formal el martes, marcha tercera en las eliminatorias a dos puntos del líder Chile y a uno del escolta Uruguay.

Paraguay figura penúltimo con cuatro puntos y Perú está en el fondo con tres.

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  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, center, walks to a waiting vehicle upon his arrival at La Aurora airport in Guatemala City, early Wednesday, June 12, 2013. A tax fraud lawsuit has been filed by a Spanish state prosecutor of Catalonia against the Barcelona star for $5.3 million in unpaid income tax. The document presented to the court on Wednesday also brings a lawsuit against his father, Jorge Horacio Messi. Both are accused of three offenses against the public purse for allegedly defrauding millions on income tax returns for 2007, 2008 and 2009. (AP Photo/Prensa Libre, Cesar Perez

  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, center, walks to a waiting vehicle upon his arrival at La Aurora airport in Guatemala City, early Wednesday, June 12, 2013. A tax fraud lawsuit has been filed by a Spanish state prosecutor of Catalonia against the Barcelona star for $5.3 million in unpaid income tax. The document presented to the court on Wednesday also brings a lawsuit against his father, Jorge Horacio Messi. Both are accused of three offenses against the public purse for allegedly defrauding millions on income tax returns for 2007, 2008 and 2009. (AP Photo/Prensa Libre, Cesar Perez)

  • Lionel Messi, Fernando Saritama

    Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, kicks the ball next t Ecuador's Fernando Saritama during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa).

  • Alejandro Sabella, Lionel Messi

    Argentina's coach Alejandro Sabella, right, pats Argentina's Lionel Messi on the back during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match with Ecuador in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa).

  • Lionel Messi

    FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2013 file photo, Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after losing the Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. A state prosecutor for the northeastern region of Catalonia has lodged on Wednesday June 12, 2013, a lawsuit against Lionel Messi for fraud in unpaid income tax amounting to euro4 million ($5.3 million). The complaint, signed by prosecutor Raquel Amado, has been submitted for trial at the courthouse in Gava, the upscale Barcelona district where the Argentina forward lives. The document, presented to the court on Wednesday, brings a lawsuit against Barcelona star Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi.(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

  • FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi looks at the cup as he and his teammates parade on a bus through a crowd of supporters celebrating in the streets of Barcelona on May 13, 2013, two days after their team won the Spanish league. The Catalans didn't even need to set foot on the pitch to seal the title on May 11 as Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Espanyol meant Barca had already been crowned champions before their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on May 12, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FC Barcelona Celebrate Winning The Spanish Liga With A Victory Parade

    BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 13: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with team-mates on an open top bus during their victory parade after winning the Spanish Liga title on May 13, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

  • FBL-ESP-LIGA-ATLETICO-MADRID-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Spanish league football match Atletico de Madrid vs Barcelona on May 12, 2013 at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid. AFP PHOTO/ PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU (Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)

  • The Royal Oak Chronograph Leo Messi No. 10 by Audermas Piguet, is pictured with the jersey of the national soccer team of Argentina during an auction preview at Sotheby's in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. The sale is scheduled on May 11 for the Leo Messi Foundation. (AP Photo/Keystone/Jean-Christophe Bott)

  • Club Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 12: Lionel Messi (L) of FC Barcelona gets past Tiago Cardoso Mendez of Club Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Vicente Calderon Stadium on May 12, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, escapes PSG's Marco Verratti, from Italy, during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, smiles during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, from Sweden, left, shakes hands with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, at the end of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina,who started the game on the bench, replaces teammate Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, right, looks at Barcelona's head coach Francesc 'Tito' Vilanova, left, as he replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, right, replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-BARCELONA-PSG

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Alex Costa (L) during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 10, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi holds his leg during the Champions League quarter-final football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Paris St Germain v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final

    PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 02: Lionel Messi of Barcelona and David Beckham of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona FCB at Parc des Princes on April 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarter-final football match between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal while Paris Saint Germain's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu of Italy looks on during their Champions League quarterfinal soccer match in Paris,Tuesday, April 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal while Paris Saint Germain's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu of Italy looks on during their Champions League quarterfinal soccer match in Paris,Tuesday, April 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-BOL-ARG

    Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures during the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Bolivia, at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz, on March 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi sits on the pitch during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Ever Banega, Clemente Rodriguez, Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Ever Banega, right, celebrates with his teammates Clemente Rodriguez, center, and Lionel Messi, after Ever scored a goal against Bolivia during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-ARG-TRAINING

    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi smiles during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi watches teammates during a training session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Argentina will face Venezuela in a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in Buenos Aires on March 22. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi leaves the field after a training session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Argentina will face Venezuela in a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in Buenos Aires on March 22. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

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    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi gives the thumb up during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-ARG-TRAINING

    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (C) poses for pictures with supporters during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • A visitor poses with the wax figure of Lionel Messi at the Madame Tussauds exhibition in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 13, 2013.(AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

  • JAPAN-ENTERTAINMENT-TUSSAUDS

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  • Barcelona's forward Lionel Messi, from Argentina, celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and AC Milan at Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish Cup semi-final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish Cup semi-final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during a Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during a Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after losing the Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after losing the Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during their La Liga soccer match against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Lionel Messi

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  • Victor Ruiz, Lionel Messi

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  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates after scoring against Valencia during their La Liga soccer match at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Lionel Messi

    FC Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi poses with the trophy after being awarded the FIFA Men's World Player of the Year during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan 7, 2013. Messi was named FIFA Men's World Player of the Year for a record-breaking fourth successive year. (AP Photo/Keystone, Walter Bieri)

  • From left: Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo, Spain's Andres Iniesta and Argentina's Lionel Messi, the nominees for the FIFA Men's World Soccer Player of the Year Award, attend a press conference during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

  • Argentina's Lionel Messi arrives on the red carpet prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or soccer Gala 2013 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

  • FBL-FIFA-BALLONDOR

    FIFA Ballon d'Or award winner Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi holds his trophy during the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 7, 2013. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)