Story by
Messi says Argentina among World Cup favorites, but other contenders come in stronger
- Story by
- Messi says Argentina among World Cup favorites, but other contenders come in stronger
Lionel Messi believes his Argentina team enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the favorites to lift the trophy this summer but cautioned fans to be wary of other teams that go into the tournament even stronger.
Messi led Argentina to the 2022 title and, despite turning 39 during this year's tournament, is expected to lead the team's title defense this summer. But injuries to key players and strong showings from other teams has Messi warning that a repeat will not come easily.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"Honestly, we’re coming in well," Messi said. "While there are a lot of guys going through injuries or a lack of rhythm because of one thing or another, the truth is when the group is together, we’ve shown it’s a group that competes, that always wants to win, that gives everything to be able to try to reach the goal. It’s a World Cup. We know the World Cup always is tough because of the national teams that are there.
"You have to dream like an Argentine always dreams when there is an official competition, Copa América or World Cup, but also to know that there are other favorites in front of us who come in better as a group, as a national team. This Argentina is always going to go to compete and give it all."
Lionel Messi holds up the Campeones Cup trophy with his Inter Miami teammates after his team defeated Mexico's Cruz Azul, 2-0, at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Sept. 16, 2026. Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami in the victory .
Lionel Messi scores a goal past CF Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier during the second half at NU Stadium on Aug. 29, 2026. Messi scored four goals in a 7-1 win for Miami.
April 4, 2026: Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Telasco Segovia after scoring Inter Miami's first goal in the team's first game at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami and Austin FC played to a 2-2 draw .
March 18, 2026: Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Sergio Reguilon after scoring his team's first goal during the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 second leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, scored his 900th goal for club and country in Inter Miami's match against Nashville SC .
Dec. 6, 2025: Lionel Messi lifts the Philip F. Anschutz trophy after Inter Miami's win in 2025 MLS Cup. Messi was named the game's MVP in the 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps .
Nov. 29, 2025:Lionel Messi and Tomas Aviles celebrate with the trophy after winning the Eastern Conference final against New York City FC at Chase Stadium on in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
(Carmen Mandato, Getty Images)
Nov. 8, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Nashville SC during a first-round playoff game at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals as Inter Miami prevailed, 4-0, in Game 3 of the best-of-three series to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
Nov. 5, 2025: Lionel Messi holds the "key to the city" that he received from Miami mayor Francis Suarez at the American Business Forum at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
Oct. 24, 2025: Lionel Messi scores a goal off a header against Nashville SC during the first half of a Round 1 playoff game at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals as Inter Miami won the first game of a best-of-three series, 3-1.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
Oct. 24, 2025: MLS commissioner Don Garber presents the league's Golden Boot award for the most goals scored during the regular season to Lionel Messi before a playoff game against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Messi led MLS with 29 goals scored during the 2025 season.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
Sept. 24, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against New York City FC at Citi Field. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 4-0 win.
(Mark Smith, Imagn Images)
July 5, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates with his Inter Miami teammate after scoring a goal against CF Montreal during the first half at Saputo Stadium. Messi had two goals in Inter Miami's 4-1 win.
June 29, 2025: Lionel Messi is consoled by Paris Saint-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during Inter Miami's 4-0 loss to PSG in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
May 31, 2025: Lionel Messi scores a goal against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 5-1 win.
May 3, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez (9) after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-1.
April 9, 2025: Lionel Messi scores against Los Angeles FC during the first half at Chase Stadium. Messi scored twice in the game as Inter Miami went on to defeat LAFC, 3-2 on aggregate, in their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
March 16, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Atlanta United during Inter Miami's 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
Feb. 22, 2025: Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball during the MLS season-opening weekend match against New York City FC at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami tied NYCFC, 2-2, in the game.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
Nov. 9, 2024: Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after Inter Miami's first-round playoff loss to Atlanta United at Chase Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Oct. 2, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Crew during the first half at Lower.com Field. Messi scored twice in Inter Miami's 3-2 win, which clinched the MLS Supporters' Shield.
(Joseph Maiorana, Imagn Images)
Sept. 14, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal scored against the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in the 3-1 Inter Miami win.
(Rich Storry, Imagn Images)
April 27, 2024: Lionel Messi attempts a corner kick against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 4-1 win. A crowd of 65,612 showed up at Gillette Stadium, setting a New England Revolution home attendance record (previous high: 61,316 for 2002 MLS Cup).
(Paul Rutherford, USA TODAY Sports)
April 20, 2024: Lionel Messi shakes hands with the officials after the game against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 3-1 win.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
April 6, 2024: Lionel Messi and the Colorado Rapids' Kimani Stewart-Baynes (27) battle for the ball during the second half at Chase Stadium. Messi scored a goal for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)
March 13, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates with Luis Suarez after scoring a goal against Nashville SC during the second leg of a Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 match. Inter Miami won the game, 3-1, and advanced on aggregate 5-3, to the quarterfinals.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)
March 2, 2024: Lionel Messi talks to the media after Inter Miami's 5-0 win against Orlando City at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in the win.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
Feb. 25, 2024: Lionel Messi scores an equalizing goal past Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Messi's goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Inter Miami on the road in Carson, California.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
Feb. 21, 2024: Lionel Messi reacts after a 2-0 season-opening win over Real Salt Lake at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
Nov. 10, 2023: Lionel Messi poses with the Ballon d'Or trophy before Inter Miami's friendly against New York City at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
Sept. 20, 2023: Lionel Messi places the captains armband on defender DeAndre Yedlin after being subbed off during the first half of Inter Miami's 4-0 win over Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Rich Storry, USA TODAY Sports)
Sept. 3, 2023: Lionel Messi and Los Angeles FC's Mateusz Bogusz (19) battle for the ball during the second half of Inter Miami's 3-1 win at BMO Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 30, 2023: Inter Miami's DeAndre Yedlin (2) and Lionel Messi hoist the Leagues Cup trophy before the game against Nashville SC at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 26, 2023: Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls with teammate Benjamin Cremaschi (30) during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Inter Miami won, 2-0, in what was Messi's first MLS regular-season game.
(Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 23, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates with Facundo Farias (11) after defeating FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at TQL Stadium.
(Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 19, 2023: Messi during the trophy ceremony for the Leagues Cup Championship match.
(Alan Poizner, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 19, 2023: Messi waves after winning the Leagues Cup final against Nashville.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 15, 2023: Messi reacts after scoring against the Philadelphia Union. Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup semifinal, 4-1.
(Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 11, 2023: Messi celebrates after scoring against Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
(Jeremy Reper, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 6, 2023: Lionel Messi scores in penalty kicks against FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 knockout game.
(Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 6, 2023: Messi celebrates a goal against FC Dallas with teammate Jordi Alba.
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
Aug. 2, 2023: Lionel Messi scores a goal past Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the Leagues Cup.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)
July 25, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Atlanta United during the Leagues Cup.
(Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
July 21, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a game-winning goal against Cruz Azul during the Leagues Cup opener.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
July 21, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi was introduced as a Miami player at an event at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Rich Storry, USA TODAY Sports)
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi was introduced as a Miami player at an event at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Rich Storry, USA TODAY Sports)
1
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Lionel Messi holds up the Campeones Cup trophy with his Inter Miami teammates after his team defeated Mexico's Cruz Azul, 2-0, at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Sept. 16, 2026. Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami in the victory .
1
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Lionel Messi holds up the Campeones Cup trophy with his Inter Miami teammates after his team defeated Mexico's Cruz Azul, 2-0, at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Sept. 16, 2026. Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami in the victory .
2
/46
MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Lionel Messi scores a goal past CF Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier during the second half at NU Stadium on Aug. 29, 2026. Messi scored four goals in a 7-1 win for Miami.
3
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 4, 2026: Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Telasco Segovia after scoring Inter Miami's first goal in the team's first game at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami and Austin FC played to a 2-2 draw .
4
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
March 18, 2026: Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Sergio Reguilon after scoring his team's first goal during the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 second leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, scored his 900th goal for club and country in Inter Miami's match against Nashville SC .
5
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Dec. 6, 2025: Lionel Messi lifts the Philip F. Anschutz trophy after Inter Miami's win in 2025 MLS Cup. Messi was named the game's MVP in the 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps .
6
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 29, 2025:Lionel Messi and Tomas Aviles celebrate with the trophy after winning the Eastern Conference final against New York City FC at Chase Stadium on in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
(Carmen Mandato, Getty Images)
7
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 8, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Nashville SC during a first-round playoff game at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals as Inter Miami prevailed, 4-0, in Game 3 of the best-of-three series to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
8
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 5, 2025: Lionel Messi holds the "key to the city" that he received from Miami mayor Francis Suarez at the American Business Forum at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
9
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Oct. 24, 2025: Lionel Messi scores a goal off a header against Nashville SC during the first half of a Round 1 playoff game at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals as Inter Miami won the first game of a best-of-three series, 3-1.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
10
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Oct. 24, 2025: MLS commissioner Don Garber presents the league's Golden Boot award for the most goals scored during the regular season to Lionel Messi before a playoff game against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Messi led MLS with 29 goals scored during the 2025 season.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
11
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Sept. 24, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against New York City FC at Citi Field. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 4-0 win.
(Mark Smith, Imagn Images)
12
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 5, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates with his Inter Miami teammate after scoring a goal against CF Montreal during the first half at Saputo Stadium. Messi had two goals in Inter Miami's 4-1 win.
13
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
June 29, 2025: Lionel Messi is consoled by Paris Saint-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during Inter Miami's 4-0 loss to PSG in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
14
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
May 31, 2025: Lionel Messi scores a goal against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 5-1 win.
15
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
May 3, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez (9) after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-1.
16
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 9, 2025: Lionel Messi scores against Los Angeles FC during the first half at Chase Stadium. Messi scored twice in the game as Inter Miami went on to defeat LAFC, 3-2 on aggregate, in their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
17
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
March 16, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Atlanta United during Inter Miami's 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
18
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Feb. 22, 2025: Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball during the MLS season-opening weekend match against New York City FC at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami tied NYCFC, 2-2, in the game.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
19
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 9, 2024: Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after Inter Miami's first-round playoff loss to Atlanta United at Chase Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
20
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Oct. 2, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Crew during the first half at Lower.com Field. Messi scored twice in Inter Miami's 3-2 win, which clinched the MLS Supporters' Shield.
(Joseph Maiorana, Imagn Images)
21
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Sept. 14, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal scored against the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in the 3-1 Inter Miami win.
(Rich Storry, Imagn Images)
22
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 27, 2024: Lionel Messi attempts a corner kick against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 4-1 win. A crowd of 65,612 showed up at Gillette Stadium, setting a New England Revolution home attendance record (previous high: 61,316 for 2002 MLS Cup).
(Paul Rutherford, USA TODAY Sports)
23
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 20, 2024: Lionel Messi shakes hands with the officials after the game against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 3-1 win.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
24
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 6, 2024: Lionel Messi and the Colorado Rapids' Kimani Stewart-Baynes (27) battle for the ball during the second half at Chase Stadium. Messi scored a goal for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)
25
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
March 13, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates with Luis Suarez after scoring a goal against Nashville SC during the second leg of a Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 match. Inter Miami won the game, 3-1, and advanced on aggregate 5-3, to the quarterfinals.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)
26
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
March 2, 2024: Lionel Messi talks to the media after Inter Miami's 5-0 win against Orlando City at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in the win.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
27
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Feb. 25, 2024: Lionel Messi scores an equalizing goal past Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Messi's goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Inter Miami on the road in Carson, California.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
28
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Feb. 21, 2024: Lionel Messi reacts after a 2-0 season-opening win over Real Salt Lake at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
29
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 10, 2023: Lionel Messi poses with the Ballon d'Or trophy before Inter Miami's friendly against New York City at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
30
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Sept. 20, 2023: Lionel Messi places the captains armband on defender DeAndre Yedlin after being subbed off during the first half of Inter Miami's 4-0 win over Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Rich Storry, USA TODAY Sports)
31
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Sept. 3, 2023: Lionel Messi and Los Angeles FC's Mateusz Bogusz (19) battle for the ball during the second half of Inter Miami's 3-1 win at BMO Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
32
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 30, 2023: Inter Miami's DeAndre Yedlin (2) and Lionel Messi hoist the Leagues Cup trophy before the game against Nashville SC at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
33
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 26, 2023: Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls with teammate Benjamin Cremaschi (30) during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Inter Miami won, 2-0, in what was Messi's first MLS regular-season game.
(Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports)
34
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 23, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates with Facundo Farias (11) after defeating FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at TQL Stadium.
(Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports)
35
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 19, 2023: Messi during the trophy ceremony for the Leagues Cup Championship match.
(Alan Poizner, USA TODAY Sports)
36
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 19, 2023: Messi waves after winning the Leagues Cup final against Nashville.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
37
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 15, 2023: Messi reacts after scoring against the Philadelphia Union. Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup semifinal, 4-1.
(Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports)
38
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 11, 2023: Messi celebrates after scoring against Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
(Jeremy Reper, USA TODAY Sports)
39
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 6, 2023: Lionel Messi scores in penalty kicks against FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 knockout game.
(Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)
40
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 6, 2023: Messi celebrates a goal against FC Dallas with teammate Jordi Alba.
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
41
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 2, 2023: Lionel Messi scores a goal past Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the Leagues Cup.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)
42
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 25, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Atlanta United during the Leagues Cup.
(Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
43
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 21, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a game-winning goal against Cruz Azul during the Leagues Cup opener.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
44
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 21, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
45
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi was introduced as a Miami player at an event at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Rich Storry, USA TODAY Sports)
46
/46
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi was introduced as a Miami player at an event at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Rich Storry, USA TODAY Sports)
Who did Leo Messi pick as his World Cup favorites?
Pressed to give his list, Messi noted he expects a challenge from some of the usual suspects, including Argentina's 2022 World Cup final opponent and a South American rival.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"Well, I think today France is really good again, it has a lot of players at a great level," Messi said. "I think Spain , Brazil — while they weren’t at their best not long ago, Brazil is always a candidate and has the players to compete in every official tournament. After that, we always say Germany , England are always powers. Portugal has a very competitive national team.
"There’s always a surprise, too. Strange things happen or things you didn’t imagine before. There are a lot of national teams at great levels."
The comments came during an interview with Argentine broadcaster Joaquin "Pollo" Alvarez in which Messi also spoke about his competitive edge, his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo and worked with the host to rank moments in his career in which he was most in his prime — a segment "interrupted" by Inter Miami and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul , who completed the exercise for "La Pulga Atomica".
They return to the field Saturday, May 9 when Inter Miami travels to take on Toronto FC . Argentina's next match is a warm-up friendly June 6 against Honduras at Texas A&M's Kyle Field. The Albiceleste then takes on Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, before the World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Center back Nicolas Otamendi is now eligible for that opener after initially being set to miss it with suspension because of a red card in the final World Cup qualification contest.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi confident in Argentina World Cup title defense, but has warning
