The 2014 World Cup is showcase for all the top superstars in the world.

But in the same way that not all players are created equally, no pressure is created equally either. Certain players enter this tournament with a great deal to prove not only for their countries but also for themselves. Brazil is a favorite to win the tournament and that responsibility will fall mainly on the feet of young Neymar. Failure could doom his legacy.

However, no player faces greater pressure than Argentina's Lionel Messi. The superstar is always in the "Greatest Player Ever" conversation and understandably so. He has compiled 243 goals for Barcelona throughout his career and also has four Ballon d'Or victories and has managed to win almost every single club award possible.

But his international record is far from impressive. While he is the second leading scorer for Argentina with 38 strikes, he has only managed a Gold Medal in the 2008 Olympics and a victory in the U-20 World Cup in 2005. Aside from that, he has done next to nothing when donning the iconic Blue and White. And that is why this World Cup is so important for him. His legacy is on the line.

When the "Who is the Greatest Debate Ever?" debate comes up, Pele and Maradona are usually at the forefront. Both propelled their nations to World Cup Rings; Maradona did so in 1986 while Pele was king in 1958 and 1970 as he participated in three of Brazil's World Cup titles. Moreover, both players were recognized as the best players in their respective tournaments; Maradona dominated in 1986 and Pele was crowned the top star in 1970.

Pele was dominant for his club Santos with 619 goals in his tenure; he also won every possible trophy with the club throughout his time. Maradona also had a solid club run with a number of different teams including Napoli, Boca Juniors and Barcelona. His club career was not as distinguished, but his play on the national team more than made up for any short comings here.

Messi's club play with Barcelona is untouchable. And some might argue that this is enough. He is already world famous and his skill is almost peerless. Why does he need World Cup success to cement his legacy?

A lot has to do with context. If Messi was from Canada and played the way he does, then no one would expect a World Cup win from him.

ESPN Deportes' Mario Kempes, the man who dominated the 1978 World Cup and brought Argentina its first title, noted that the expectations are unfair for Messi.

"Those comparisons are between media members. Each era is different and the stars of those eras are very different. Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't have many peers playing at his level and he doesn't have to answer questions about Maradona or Pele," said Kempes recently. "It's ridiculous that he 'must' win a World Cup. He is only human."

But the problem is that Messi plays for Argentina, a team that has a noteable World Cup legacy and a hero on which to hang that history on. He hails from a continent that has given birth to arguably the two greatest (or three if you include him) soccer players in the world. And both of those players won a World Cup.

Argentina is thirsting for a World Cup as the nation, always a favorite, has not lifted the trophy since Maradona led the way in 1986. The team has waited on hero after hero to be able to see its third trophy and has been constantly left embarrassed and unsatisfied. That is the onus on Messi. He is the captain. He is constantly called the best player in the world. He has to be that hero.

The problem, of course, has a lot to do with Messi's national team form. He's won just two tournaments with the team but none of the major ones with the senior side. In 2006, he made his World Cup debut with a goal. In 2010, he was expected to carry Argentina to greatness and responded with a disappointing tournament; he scored no goals in Argentina's run to the quarterfinals. Argentina was the favorite to lift the 2011 Copa America at home, but Messi was unable to lead his nation past the quarterfinals; he did not score a single goal in that campaign either. In fact, Argentina picked up just one win in four games despite being the favorite side. He has done the job well in qualifiers, but beyond that Messi has never really asserted himself as a hero capable of leading Argentina.

"At the national team level, he has arrived tired and lethargic," said Kempes. "He doesn't arrive to camp in the best form. Who knows that when he vomits, it's not something physical?"

Messi is required to play a great deal for Barcelona and it is perfectly possible that his lack of form is due in part to his fatigue. After a long campaign in which he has to carry Blaugrana offensively, does he really have enough in the tank to carry his nation? This year has been every bit as tricky, as he has struggled with a nagging hamstring injury that has kept him out for long stretches of the season. But even when he has played, he has not been the phenom everyone expected. He has scored goals, but he lacks the creative explosion to make him the best player in the world.

But is it okay to use that as an excuse? After all, Spain's top players won three straight major trophies despite playing long season with their respective clubs over the last few years. Messi's teammate Andres Iniesta scored the game-winning goal in the World Cup final despite struggling with injuries and fitness throughout the 2009-10 season.

The clock is running out for Messi. On June 24, he will turn 27, hoping to still be playing for the title on that date, as it will likely be his final chance to do it in his prime. No one is ruling out a chance to return to the World Cup in Russia in 2018, but by then he will be nearing the wrong side of 30; who knows what happens in that span? Will he be healthy? Will he still be an elite superstar or will his engine start breaking down? Can Argentina even aspire to win in four years when other top players such as Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain are also nearing 30?

The time is now for Messi. A World Cup win for Argentina will make the question of "Greatest Player ever" irrelevant. A poor performance will taint his legacy. Let us leave you with Di Maria's words in a recent interview.

"If we don't win the World Cup, it will be a failure. This is the reality."

If that happens, no one will be a bigger scapegoat than Messi.