Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has described winning the World Cup as “very difficult”, stressing the role of fine margins and luck, while expressing confidence that the current national team could secure back-to-back titles in 2026.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN broadcast on Wednesday, the 38-year-old Inter Miami star reflected on Argentina’s dramatic 2022 victory in Qatar, underscoring how close-run the knockout stages were despite his team’s dominance.
“Winning the World Cup is very difficult… Any team can make things tough for you and eliminate you,” Messi said. “The ball might hit the post and go out, or hit the post and go in, and just like that, your journey ends. Or you can lose on penalties.”
He highlighted the pivotal quarter-final against the Netherlands and the final versus France, where Argentina advanced via penalty shootouts. “In the last World Cup, luck was on our side; even though we were greatly superior in our matches against the Netherlands and France, we ended up going to penalties,” Messi recalled. “During penalties, we had Dibu Martínez who made us win… But it can happen that you reach penalties and don’t win. It’s very hard to win the World Cup.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who captained Argentina to their third global crown three years ago, remained optimistic about defending the title at the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Yes, this Argentina’s group can fight to win another World Cup. It can really happen again,” he declared.6f1a12
Messi, whose international future has been the subject of intense speculation as he approaches his 39th birthday, left the door open for participation in what would be his sixth World Cup.
“I hope I can be at the World Cup… otherwise I will watch from there live,” he said. “It will be special in any case.”
The forward also lavished praise on his former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, calling the Manchester City manager the greatest of all time.
“Pep Guardiola is just the GOAT. He’s the best ever as a coach,” Messi stated emphatically.
During their four seasons together from 2008 to 2012, Guardiola guided Messi and Barcelona to 14 major trophies, including two Champions Leagues, revolutionising the sport with tiki-taka possession football.
Messi’s comments come ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw and as Argentina prepare to defend their crown under coach Lionel Scaloni, with the team boasting a talented core including young stars like Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández.
Football analysts note that no team has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge Messi outlined.
The tournament kicks off in June 2026, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
