“Messi is reinventing himself” - Juan Roman Riquelme makes big claim on Lionel Messi ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Former Argentina midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme has said that Lionel Messi will play the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's pertinent to note that the 37-year-old had said that the 2022 edition was his last appearance at the quadrennial competition.
Back in 2022, Messi led from the front - playing every minute of all seven games - as La Albiceleste won the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, their third triumph overall.
The Inter Miami captain sizzled with seven goals and three assists in seven games. That included a brace in the thrilling 3-3 extra-time draw with holders France in the final, which the Albiceleste won 4-2 in the shootout, where Messi scored again.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has grappled with injuries since that victorious campaign in Qatar. Nevertheless, Riquelme has no qualms that Messi would feature in the Albiceleste's title defence in 2026 in the US, speaking on AZZ channel (as per My Khel):
"Messi is reinventing himself. You never know what he can do. And I have no doubt that he will play in the next World Cup, he has to play.
"We will all be rooting for him to play. I don't tease him too much, but we talk a lot. That's why I think he's going to play. He's very good, it's something that's not normal. And to that, he adds that he really likes to compete. He's won a lot and he still wants to keep winning."
Messi is coming off a win at the 2024 Copa America - contributing a goal and an assist in five games - as the Albiceleste defended their title, their first success since that aforementioned World Cup triumph.
How has Lionel Messi fared for Argentina since the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Lionel Messi has continued to have success with Argentina following their third FIFA World Cup triumph, two years ago in Qatar. In 15 games since then, he has bagged 11 goals and three assists.
That includes three goals in five games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiiers, where La Albiceleste currently lead the CONMEBOL standings after eight games. Messi, however, didn't feature in both outings during the September international break - the 3-0 home win over Chile and the 2-1 loss at Colombia.
Messi's only other competitive goal contributions - one goal and one assist - since the last World Cup came at the aforementioned Copa America, with both coming against Canada, albeit in different games.