Messi and the World Cup: "Ahead of Us, There Are Other Favorites Who Arrive Better"

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has offered a candid assessment of the nation's prospects for the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that several other national teams currently appear stronger. In a surprising declaration on the YouTube channel "Lo Del Pollo," Messi stated, "We know that the World Cup is always complicated. We have to be excited, as Argentines always are when there's a Copa América or World Cup, but know that ahead of us there are other favorites who are arriving better."

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Sabemos que el Mundial siempre es complicado. Hay que ilusionarse como siempre lo hace el argentino cada vez que hay una Copa América o Mundial, pero saber que por delante nuestro hay otros favoritos que llegan mejor

Messi specifically named France, Spain, and Brazil as the leading contenders. He highlighted France's deep talent pool and Spain's strong squad, while acknowledging that Brazil, despite not always being in peak form, remains a perennial candidate due to its player quality. He also mentioned Germany, England, and Portugal as strong, competitive teams that could challenge for the title.

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Francia está muy bien otra vez, que tiene muchísimos jugadores de un gran nivel. España y, si bien hace un tiempito no está en su mejor momento, Brasil siempre es candidato y tiene los jugadores para poder pelear en todas las competiciones oficiales

Reflecting on Argentina's current situation, Messi noted that while the team "arrives well," injuries and a lack of match rhythm for some key players are concerns. However, he emphasized the team's fighting spirit, stating, "When the group is together, it has been shown that it is a group that competes and always wants to win." This sentiment reflects the enduring passion and determination of Argentine football, even amidst perceived challenges. From an Argentine perspective, Messi's comments, while acknowledging strong rivals, also carry an underlying confidence in the team's ability to rise to the occasion, a characteristic deeply ingrained in the nation's footballing identity.

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llega bien, aunque hoy hay muchos chicos que están pasando por lesión o falta de ritmo. La verdad es que cuando el grupo esta junto, quedó demostrado que es un grupo que compite y que quiere siempre ganar