Lionel Messi has appeared in eight World Cup games for Argentina. If he scored at the same rate for his country as he does for his club, he would have found the net seven times in those eight games.
Instead, his strike in the 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen in 2006 is his one and only, and the little man's small band of critics never shy away from vocalising this blotch on an otherwise perfect career.
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Responsibility: Messi has the weight on his shoulders as Argentina head into the World Cup in Brazil
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One blotch: The four-time Ballon d'Or winner is still criticised for his lack of goals in the World Cup
The 26-year-old is mature now, and is fully aware of the one bolt missing as Argentina head into next summer's carnival of football as second favourites.
'Slowly but surely I will be getting there to hopefully peak at the right time of the year,' he told BBC Football Focus. 'I hope this could be a great year not only for me but also for Barcelona and for Argentina.'
Messi believes Argentina can win the World Cup in the backyard of bitter rivals Brazil, and insists this tournament will be more special than any before it.
'It will be extra special, well above all the other World Cups. It's in Brazil, with everything that means for us, our supporters will be there in their thousands and with them behind us I'm sure we can achieve something very, very special.'
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At present: Messi has 19 goals in 24 appearances for Barcelona this term, down on his usual unbelievable tally
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Halted: Messi returned in early January after a two-month lay off with a hamstring injury
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One and only: Messi's one goal in the World Cup came against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006
Argentina have not been past the quarter-finals of a World Cup since 1990, where in the final they lost 1-0 to West Germany in Italy, but their main man believes the team have matured in recent times.
They finished top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table with just two losses in 16 games in the most competitive qualifying pot across the globe.
'I think this World Cup arrives at a good time for Argentina. We have grown as a team on and off the pitch. We have a great bunch of lads that love to play for our country.
'I think we will get to Brazil in a great shape and with all the chances in the world. We know what a World Cup is about.'
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Four years on: Messi takes on the South Korea defence during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
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Team up: Maradona takes on half of the Belgium team in 1982, and Messi is similarly feared across the globe
Football's greats - think Pele, Maradona, Eusebio - all shone in the World Cup finals. Messi will no doubt want to emulate Maradona's success in lifting the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico.
He is still some way off the legend's goal tally of eight in World Cups, while Pele has 12 and Eusebio nine.
And despite the biggest competition on the planet now beamed to all nations alongside the drama and stardom of La Liga, the Premier League, Serie A and the Bundesliga, this summer's tournament is still by far and away the most central of stages.
It truly is Messi's time to shine. It may be hard to fathom, but the four-time Ballon d'Or winner still has global football fans to win over. Despite this, Messi is focused on team success as much as his own.
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One bolt missing: If Messi's goal rate for Barcelona transcended to World Cup's he would have scored seven
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On stage: Pele's performance in the World Cup with Brazil, particularly in 1970, was outstanding
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Not level: Argentine legend Maradona scored eight World Cup goals, and Messi has a way to go to meet that
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Improvement needed: Argentina reached the World
Cup final in 1990, losing 1-0 to West Germany in Italy, but have not
even reached the last four since and last won the tournament in 1986 in
Mexico
'We had a great qualifying round with an away victory in Colombia (a 2-1 win in November 2011) that for me was the turning point, we played friendlies against some of the top teams in the world and did very well too.
'Now we know the cup is a different story and that anything can happen once it kicks off. We will need that bit of luck too in those key moments. I just hope that all our players step out in Brazil in the best possible shape because we will really need everybody.'
Messi's form this term has been down on previous years, but a record of 19 goals in 24 games for Barcelona is still outstanding.
A hamstring injury kept him out for two months between November and January, and the 26-year-old admits he still always learning and attempting to improve his game.
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Bitter rivals: Messi believes the World Cup, in Brazil's backyard, will be the most special tournament yet
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Worth a flutter: Argentina now boast the likes
of PSG's Ezequiel Lavezzi, Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain and Manchester
City's Sergio Aguero (above), and are second favourites to lift the
trophy in July
'I'm very well, full of energy and with a lot of hope, I was able to play again after a long time. I'm happy with my current form.
'Every season we start from scratch again. Every season is a new challenge. With Barcelona we always play for major honours and we are always asked to win them all.
'I still have a lot to learn and a huge deal to improve. I hope to keep performing at a high level all the way to the World Cup.
'The desire to keep winning things is my main motivation. I want to keep going and win them all.'
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Hands up and be counted: Despite being arguably
the best player in the world over the last five years, some still
criticise Messi's form on the biggest stage of all... making this summer
perhaps Messi's biggest ever
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