WWith less than four months left until the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Lionel Messi and Argentina are preparing to defend their World Cup crown in Qatar 2022.
As excitement builds around the world for soccer’s most prestigious tournament, Messi has spoken openly about a potential opponent he would like to avoid – the Mexican national team.
Messi shared his thoughts in a candid conversation with former Argentina teammate and Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmun on the Milo de Atl podcast.
Reflecting on Argentina’s 2-0 win over Mexico in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, the 38-year-old captain acknowledged the challenges and tensions surrounding that match.
“We often meet in life-or-death moments at World Cups and major tournaments,” Messi said. That match in particular had great significance, as Argentina would have been eliminated from the tournament early if they lost.
Messi admitted Argentina approached the 2022 game against Mexico with palpable trepidation.
“We went into that game with trepidation and honesty,” he said, noting how the team felt about the pressure of the season and the possibility of a sudden departure. Despite Argentina having a historical advantage in direct confrontations,
Messi explained that Mexico is always a tricky opponent and can test even the strongest teams. The psychological pressure of playing against a team that could dominate possession and complicate the rhythm of the match added an additional layer of difficulty.
Potential challenges in North America
Looking ahead to 2026, Messi emphasized that playing in North America will bring new variables. The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, giving the home team a unique advantage in terms of crowd support and familiarity with the venue.
“Playing at home has an impact, for better or for worse,” Messi said. This factor makes the prospects of an early match against Mexico particularly difficult, even for the reigning world champions.
He expressed hope that the tournament could be held successfully, avoiding a matchup between Argentina and Mexico, and allowing both teams to make further progress before playing each other.
Beyond competitive considerations, Messi conveyed his respect for Mexican soccer and acknowledged the challenges the team always presents. Mexico’s ability to control the game, their tactical discipline and the enthusiasm of their supporters make them a formidable opponent at any stage of the tournament.
Messi’s comments demonstrate the fine balance between respect for his opponents and a desire to protect his team’s chances as Argentina prepare to defend their title.
Fans around the world will be watching closely as the tournament approaches, eager to see if Messi’s wish to avoid an early showdown with Mexico will come true.
