Messi an 'older brother' for Argentina squad, says De Paul

Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul on Thursday highlighted the "enormous sacrifice" that Lionel Messi has made at the Copa America in the United States to accompany Argentina on the pitch and affirmed that with the No 10 in the starting eleven, the team gains in security.

"I've seen the hours he's working to recover and be with us. Leo is like a big brother to us, he gives us a lot of security," praised the Atletico Madrid player after the match that has given the 'Albiceleste' a place in the semi-finals of the Copa America at the expense of Ecuador.

"All Argentinians should be very, very proud of the captain we have," the 30-year-old emphasised.

Argentina won a penalty shootout 4-2 after a 1-1 draw in normal time, and De Paul described the experience as another test that is passed with suffering.

"We were born to suffer, and whenever it's our turn, we're predisposed to do it," he said after the match at Houston's NRG. "Maybe we've got people used to it, but we have faith in the quality of the players we have," he said.