Javier Pastore: I make things easier for Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria

Pastore, who starred in his team’s 6-1 Copa America semi-final thrashing of Paraguay on Tuesday has been praised for his selfless performances by coach Gerardo Martino.

The 26-year-old agrees that his role as the side’s midfield playmaker is to give the likes of Messi and Di Maria freedom to shine further up the field.

“I am playing here to make things easier for Leo and for Di Maria,” Pastore told the Copa America website.

“What I like most is setting up goals. When I give a pass that ends up being a goal I enjoy it more than anything else.

“Messi likes all sorts of passes, because whether you give it to him on his chest, his head or his feet, he always controls it well. 

“He likes short passes a lot, so that he can play a one-two. He does that a lot for his club and I have seen it in training here. What he likes best is to have players nearby so he can receive the ball back.”

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder netted the second goal and created the third against Paraguay and will be hoping to inspire Argentina again as they take on Chile in the final on Saturday – but he is not concerned about the pressure.

“I sleep normally, as always. It's something that always happened to me,” he said.

“Even though it's a final, playing football is what I have done my whole life.

“It would be an immense shame if this generation won nothing… Not having won the World Cup, which was incredible, upset me. 

“Let's hope they can get some kind of revenge and that we can lift this cup.

“Above and beyond the happiness it will give me and my family, I will be happy for my team-mates.”