"It is already written for Lionel Messi to win the World Cup"

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Lionel Messi will win the World Cup this year in his final appearance at the competition as a player.

Argentina have turned it around in Qatar, reaching the semi-finals after losing their opening Group C game to Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Scaloni's side have beaten Mexico, Poland, Australia and the Netherlands en route to a last four showdown with Croatia on Tuesday evening.

Messi's been vital to 'La Albiceleste' over the last three weeks, scoring four goals and providing two assists in five appearances.

He turned on the style in Friday's clash with the Netherlands, setting up Nahuel Molina in the first half before scoring a penalty in the second.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar then converted his penalty in the shootout Argentina won following a 2-2 draw in added time.

Ibrahimovic has seen enough to know a first World Cup triumph is written in the stars for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

The AC Milan striker, who is currently out of action with a serious knee injury, said per Goal: "I think it's already written who will win, and you know who I mean. I think Messi will lift the trophy, it's already written."

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Ibrahimovic spent a season at Barcelona playing alongside Messi in 2009. After a falling out with manager Pep Guardiola, he joined AC Milan on loan the following year before making a permanent transfer in 2011.

Winning the World Cup would be the ultimate achievement for Messi, who claimed his first international honour last summer.

Messi helped Argentina to Copa America glory, which he's since called the most beautiful moment of his career.

The 35-year-old watched footage of himself celebrating with the Copa America as supporters chanted his name for a Netflix documentary.

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After seeing footage of fans chanting his name, the winger smiled before rubbing his eyes and admitting: "Wow. I think this was the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my sports career."

Should Argentina defeat Croatia, it'll be France or Morocco waiting in Sunday's final.

Argentina's last World Cup win came in 1986 when the nation was spearheaded by Diego Maradona.