Messi is out of this world, says Colombia's James

Lionel Messi "is out of this world," announced James Rodriguez ahead of the possible Copa America semi-final between Argentina and Colombia this Friday in Vina del Mar.

"He is out of this world. He is a special player and you can't compare him to me. It would be unfair to him."

James explained that the game would be close, and would probably allow him to play more of his own game, after his Group C matches didn't afford him the space to do so.

"In the three games I had little space. They were closed and attritional, so I couldn't play much."

Regarding the controversy he caused by criticising his national team's performance in their 0-0 draw with Peru, which clashed with the opinion of coach Jose Pekerman, James admitted that he spoke in the heat of the moment.

"Yesterday it was in the heat of the moment, I always want to win. I have high standards. There are four more days to keep talking, there are always things we can improve on."

"If Jose said that we played well, then we did, because he is in charge and he watched the game."