The countdown is on for the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to happen in america, Mexico, and Canada. With simply eight months to go, many nationwide groups have already secured their spots—together with Argentina. Nonetheless, Lionel Messi has but to make an official resolution about whether or not he’ll take part, and now a former Barcelona teammate has provided his take.
In a current interview with El Grafico, Javier Saviola was requested if he believes Messi can be out there for the upcoming World Cup. “I at all times attempt to think about myself in his sneakers,” the 43-year-old former participant started. “I don’t suppose even Leo is aware of but.”
Nonetheless, Saviola rapidly made his personal place clear. “I feel he’ll go to the World Cup; I’m greater than certain of that,” he stated. “He’s enjoying, and it’s apparent he needs to construct confidence and get minutes so he’s in high form for the World Cup. I see him motivated, concerned, and having fun with himself.”
The previous ahead added that Messi deserves a correct send-off with the nationwide staff. “I really feel like we’re near the tip of an exquisite story,” he stated. “I hope he will get the sort of ending worthy of every little thing he’s given us. After successful the World Cup, after making all of us completely happy—not simply Argentines, however your entire soccer world that needed to see Leo win it.”
Javier Saviola enjoying for Barcelona in 2003.
Lastly, Saviola mirrored on the legacy Messi has created for Argentine soccer over the past 20 years. “For us as a rustic, particularly, after Diego (Maradona) we thought we’d by no means see one other participant like him—after which Leo got here alongside,” he stated. “We’ll should see who comes subsequent.”
see additionally
Lionel Messi breaks historic Argentina file after successful ninth profession Golden Boot with Inter Miami
Who’s Javier Saviola?
Few gamers are as certified as Javier Saviola to talk on this matter. He was a serious determine in Argentine soccer for over 15 years, first rising to stardom at River Plate earlier than FC Barcelona paid round $40 million to signal him.
On the Catalan membership, Saviola scored 70 objectives in 168 matches, although he by no means totally secured a starring function. He went on to play for golf equipment together with Actual Madrid, AS Monaco, Sevilla, Benfica, and Malaga earlier than retiring at River Plate in 2015.
Throughout his prime years, Saviola was additionally an everyday fixture with the Argentina nationwide staff. He performed alongside Lionel Messi for a number of years, most notably on the 2006 World Cup in Germany—Messi’s first and Saviola’s solely. That very same 12 months, they had been additionally teammates at Barcelona till Saviola’s departure in mid-2007.
see additionally
World Cup 2030 format enlargement beneath scrutiny: Brazil and Argentina reportedly not aligned
Will Messi play within the 2026 World Cup?
Regardless of nonetheless being a key determine for Argentina with simply over six months till the World Cup, Lionel Messi has maintained a level of uncertainty about his participation. “Given my age, the logical factor can be to not make it. However I’m hopeful, motivated, and as at all times, I take it daily, match by match,” he stated in September.
That’s a good evaluation, contemplating Messi will flip 39 throughout the match—a uncommon age for an outfield participant, particularly in a aggressive nationwide staff like Argentina. However Messi is not any unusual case, and with the match drawing nearer, the probabilities of seeing him within the 2026 World Cup look like rising stronger.
