New Delhi: Renowned former midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme remains confident in Lionel Messi's ability to lead Argentina to victory in the 2026 World Cup, as he observes Messi's ongoing evolution at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
After a decade without a trophy with Argentina, Messi secured his first major victory with the team in 2021, clinching the Copa America trophy under his guidance.
In Qatar in 2022, Messi achieved his lifelong ambition by leading Argentina to the World Cup trophy in a suspenseful match against France.
During the summer of 2024, Messi and his team successfully defended their Copa America title with a 1-0 victory over Colombia.
However, there are lingering uncertainties regarding Messi's participation in the prestigious event in 2026. His former teammate Riquelme has expressed his confidence in Messi's ability to compete on the global stage for the sixth time.
"Messi is constantly reinventing himself. You never know what he's capable of. I am certain he will play in the next World Cup. It's a necessity. We, his supporters, will be cheering for his participation. I don't jest with him too much, but our conversations are frequent. This is why I believe he will play. He is exceptional; it's not common. And he enjoys the competition. He has a history of winning and continues to strive for more," Riquelme stated on the AZZ channel, as reported by Goal.com.
Messi was sidelined due to an ankle injury during the Copa America final in July. He made a triumphant comeback to the field following a lengthy recovery period.
He scored two goals in Inter Miami's victory over the Philadelphia Union in the MLS and is set to face Atlanta United in another match within the Eastern Conference.
In the year 2024, Messi has appeared in 13 matches, contributing 24 goals and 10 assists for Inter Miami. He has scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists.
