Argentina is widely considered one of the favorites to take home the World Cup.

The team not only boasts a roster full of major players, but also has a few other advantages going its way that have placed them in this position. Here are some reasons why Argentina will win its third World Cup championship.

1. Lionel Messi

Let's start with the most obvious of all reasons. When you have the greatest player in the world playing for your team, then there is every reason to believe that you can do anything -- even win the World Cup. Many have claimed that Messi has faltered in this tournament (he did not score a single goal in 2010), but he was Argentina's top star during the World Cup qualifiers and should continue giving fans hope of their success.

Motivation should also make Messi step up his game. He had a poor season for Barcelona; one in which he was injured for long stretches. He also lost the Ballon d'Or and, for the first time in his career, people started to question his quality. Messi will want to shut up the critics with a big performance in the World Cup and nothing would do that more than winning the title.

2. The Supporting Cast

Should Angel Di Maria or Sergio Aguero really be considered supporting cast members? If either player was on any other national team, they would be considered the center of the attack. But they get the honor of playing behind Messi and thus comprise the "supporting" cast of Argentina. Aguero scored five goals in qualifying while Di Maria supplied three. Aguero will likely be more of a scoring force, but Di Maria is a playmaker that creates space for his teammates.

And we have not even mentioned Gonzalo Higuain who put up nine goals in qualifying and has scored in the World Cup. Then there is Javier Mascherano, who will be a tremendous help as the team's holding midfielder.

3. "Easy" Group

Argentina has repeatedly talked about how no game is easy in the World Cup, but the reality is that the team landed a very favorable group in this year's tournament. They play tournament debutant Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Nigeria and Iran. Iran may be well-coached, but its talent is nowhere near Argentina's. Bosnia and Herzegovina play strong attacking soccer, but are weak defensively. Nigeria is a team that has speed and strength, but lacks the finishing touch. This relatively easy group should give Argentina a good rest moving forward.

But things get even better for the team in the round of 16. Argentina would likely face a team from another "easy" group E that includes France, Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras. None of those teams are considered major contenders and that alone should make Argentina comfortable.

4. No Place Like Home

The first time Argentina won the Cup, it won at home in 1978. In 1986, the Argentines managed to pull off the feat while playing in Mexico. Now, they play in Brazil. No European team has ever won the World Cup on South American soil. That means that the South Americans have the clear continental advantage.

But what exactly does continental advantage mean? A great deal was made of the fact that the extreme temperatures damaged Spain's Confederations Cup bid a year ago. Argentina is used to playing in South America and will not struggle with the temperature the way its European rivals will.