Lionel Messi's Argentina team-mates have been keen to ease the weight of expectation on the diminutive playmaker ahead of this weekend's World Cup opener against Nigeria.
Rated by many as the best player on the planet, Messi seems certain to be the centre of attention in South Africa as the 22-year-old tries to lead Argentina to glory.
However, Messi's fellow players have been trying to deflect some of that focus away from the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, insisting the Albiceleste are not a one-man team.
Veteran midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron said: "He (Messi) is feeling well and is eager to have a great World Cup, but I don't think it's right to make him responsible for everything that can happen in the World Cup.
"There are 23 players in the squad with the everybody sharing the responsibility.
"We shouldn't focus only on one player, no matter how important he is.
"Whether we achieve something important or not we feel that it's the whole squad that is going to do it."
Veron's comments about Messi followed on from those of another experienced member of Diego Maradona's squad, Gabriel Heinze.
The defender said: "Everybody expects something whenever Lionel touches the ball, that's normal, he's the best in the world and is in his best moment, but Argentina do not depend on him but on the group.
"It's incredible what he does, but he is one more player and he can make mistakes.
"I believe it's the team that makes you win these very difficult tournaments."
If Messi continues the form he showed for Barcelona this season, when he won the European Golden Boot after netting 34 goals and also finished as the leading scorer in the Champions League with eight, then he could take the World Cup by storm.
Argentina winger Angel Di Maria admits he is thrilled to be in the company of the Barca ace, but echoed the thoughts of Veron and Heinze about not placing too much on Messi's shoulders.
"For me it's wonderful to be here with Leo, he's the best in the world, but we shouldn't put all the pressure on him," said Di Maria.
"Everyone has to do their bit on the pitch if we are to be world champions."
Messi looked at his deadly best during a novel warm-down routine following training at the University of Pretoria's High Performance Centre yesterday.
With three unfortunate team-mates to aim at on the goal-line, Messi was the only member of the Argentina squad to hit his target from the edge of the box, striking a powerful shot against the backside of Maxi Rodriguez standing by the post.
The incident was met with howls of laughter and celebration among the other players.
But Maradona will be less than pleased if Messi's performances in South Africa are affected by his gruelling season with Barca.
Argentina fitness coach Fernando Signorini told Catalan daily Sport: "He (Messi) has arrived at the World Cup tired. The damage is already done and it's irreversible."
Regarding Messi's preparation ahead of Saturday's opener against Nigeria, Signorini added: "The idea is not to make him do more than we need.
"We want the players to arrive fresh and able to express their full potential. There is very little time for preparation."
Following the training session, where only Heinze and Carlos Tevez were absent as they adhered to individual programmes in the gym, Argentina doctor Donato Villani said there were no injury concerns ahead of their opener.