Can Messi Lead a Vulnerable Argentina to Another World Cup?

Argentina enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the reigning champions, aiming to defend the title they won four years ago in Qatar. That historic victory ended a 36-year drought for the country, driven by Lionel Messi, who earned the tournament's Golden Ball. Since then, Messi has excelled in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, recording 62 goals and 36 assists in 67 appearances, while also claiming a record eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023.

Argentina has maintained a highly competitive core, winning the 2024 Copa America and remaining near the top of the global rankings. As Messi prepares for a record sixth World Cup appearance, he is joined by a star-studded lineup including Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Lautaro Martinez, and Julian Alvarez.

Despite their status as tournament favorites, significant challenges loom just 48 hours before kickoff. Critics point out that the roster has aged, and several key players are battling injuries or inconsistent form. Messi, who turns 39 this month, is managing a left hamstring strain that has kept him out of action since late May, though reports suggest he may see limited minutes in an upcoming friendly against Iceland before Argentina’s opener in Kansas City.

The squad faces broader health concerns as well. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is recovering from a fractured finger, Cristian Romero is working back from a knee ligament injury, and fullbacks Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are both sidelined with muscle tears. Furthermore, the team must cope without the retired Angel Di Maria, whose historic knack for scoring in crucial knockout matches leaves a major void in experience and leadership.

While Argentina faces a highly manageable group stage against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, the path to a repeat title gets significantly harder in the knockout rounds, where elite contenders like Spain, France, England, Portugal, or Germany likely await. With one of the oldest rosters in the tournament and multiple key figures compromised by injuries, duplicating their previous championship magic will be a massive test.