FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread

[Jody.Drummer]

I honestly do not think that it would be wise to get rid of Messi if he wants to play just because you want to make some other young player join. Young player could join later on when Messi retires, but this guy is idol for a whole nation, forget that he is idol for many football fans, many kids all around the world loves him. So him playing is not just about winning, it's cheering with him when he wins and crying with him when he loses.

It is about making a statement with him. They will play him as long as he plays and there won't be anything further than that. I think it would make sense to just keep it going, there is really nothing that would be all that simple, it shouldn't be really possible for anyone else to wonder.

But how well can Messi play if he wants to make the squad to take it to the World Cup? that was the question. I won't deny that he is one of the best players in the world, but to be able to enter the squad that will go to the World Cup he also has to show his best performance. and it would not be wise to force him into the list of players just because he sees that he is one of the best players in the world.
I can understand your point, but I can also understand the meaning of people who say it would be good to give young players a chance. Don't let potential young players be displaced because of the words "world's best player". The coach who will take on this task, whether he is looking at recent performances, or whether he prefers players who have more mentality and experience even though their performances have declined.

[fuguebtc]

I honestly do not think that it would be wise to get rid of Messi if he wants to play just because you want to make some other young player join. Young player could join later on when Messi retires, but this guy is idol for a whole nation, forget that he is idol for many football fans, many kids all around the world loves him. So him playing is not just about winning, it's cheering with him when he wins and crying with him when he loses.

It is about making a statement with him. They will play him as long as he plays and there won't be anything further than that. I think it would make sense to just keep it going, there is really nothing that would be all that simple, it shouldn't be really possible for anyone else to wonder.

But how well can Messi play if he wants to make the squad to take it to the World Cup? that was the question. I won't deny that he is one of the best players in the world, but to be able to enter the squad that will go to the World Cup he also has to show his best performance. and it would not be wise to force him into the list of players just because he sees that he is one of the best players in the world.
I can understand your point, but I can also understand the meaning of people who say it would be good to give young players a chance. Don't let potential young players be displaced because of the words "world's best player". The coach who will take on this task, whether he is looking at recent performances, or whether he prefers players who have more mentality and experience even though their performances have declined.

There is always a transitional period for everything. And I think right now it is going to be a transitional period for everyone. Because it is still hard for a lot of people to accept the fact that the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is over. People are literally wanting to see the retirement of Christina Ronaldo for quite some time now. A player who was the most loved in the world has somehow become the most hated as well.  Lionel Messi has not probably been able to reach the popularity of cristiano Ronaldo but he also has a lot less haters as well 

Anyway I don't think Lionel Messi will actually be able to perform at his best on the next world cup. He might also retire by then,  who knows?

[Leviathan.007]

I honestly do not think that it would be wise to get rid of Messi if he wants to play just because you want to make some other young player join. Young player could join later on when Messi retires, but this guy is idol for a whole nation, forget that he is idol for many football fans, many kids all around the world loves him. So him playing is not just about winning, it's cheering with him when he wins and crying with him when he loses.

It is about making a statement with him. They will play him as long as he plays and there won't be anything further than that. I think it would make sense to just keep it going, there is really nothing that would be all that simple, it shouldn't be really possible for anyone else to wonder.

But how well can Messi play if he wants to make the squad to take it to the World Cup? that was the question. I won't deny that he is one of the best players in the world, but to be able to enter the squad that will go to the World Cup he also has to show his best performance. and it would not be wise to force him into the list of players just because he sees that he is one of the best players in the world.
I can understand your point, but I can also understand the meaning of people who say it would be good to give young players a chance. Don't let potential young players be displaced because of the words "world's best player". The coach who will take on this task, whether he is looking at recent performances, or whether he prefers players who have more mentality and experience even though their performances have declined.

He is maybe one of the best players in the world right now and maybe after a few years, still he will be one of the best players in his own country but the fact about Messi is he is getting old and he can't have a good performance like him older days and letting him play at this age can make people to have bad memories from Messi when he is not in the good form.

[Rampagoe004]

He is maybe one of the best players in the world right now and maybe after a few years, still he will be one of the best players in his own country but the fact about Messi is he is getting old and he can't have a good performance like him older days and letting him play at this age can make people to have bad memories from Messi when he is not in the good form.

I don't want the 2026 world cup to be the worst year in Messi's career. I mean Messi has got everything in football. There is nothing else he pursues in football. Messi has become a legend and his rivalry with Ronaldo has been recorded in history. I don't have a problem if Messi is still called up for the 2026 world cup because we know Messi will really motivate young Argentine players. I just hope people don't have high expectations for Messi. And the coach also didn't put much pressure on Messi at the 2026 World Cup.

[Sithara007]

I don't want the 2026 world cup to be the worst year in Messi's career. I mean Messi has got everything in football. There is nothing else he pursues in football. Messi has become a legend and his rivalry with Ronaldo has been recorded in history. I don't have a problem if Messi is still called up for the 2026 world cup because we know Messi will really motivate young Argentine players. I just hope people don't have high expectations for Messi. And the coach also didn't put much pressure on Messi at the 2026 World Cup.

If no one has any high expectation, then why force him to play? Messi's dream was to captain Argentina team to a World Cup trophy. He already did that in 2022. So what is left for him to achieve in 2026? Also, asking Messi to play in 2026 is like an indirect insult to the younger players such as Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández. You are indirectly saying that these players are not good enough as a 39-year old player to defend the trophy. It can be quite demotivating to the other players.

[emrecemsan]

I don't want the 2026 world cup to be the worst year in Messi's career. I mean Messi has got everything in football. There is nothing else he pursues in football. Messi has become a legend and his rivalry with Ronaldo has been recorded in history. I don't have a problem if Messi is still called up for the 2026 world cup because we know Messi will really motivate young Argentine players. I just hope people don't have high expectations for Messi. And the coach also didn't put much pressure on Messi at the 2026 World Cup.

Messi has already reached the only one left among his main targets in his career. He finally won a World Cup with Argentina.    After this great achievement Messi would play more comfortably and he should as well. Because he is already 36 years old and his career is full of wonderful achievements. He has everything he wanted in his hands in terms of achievement now.

People shouldn't be too expectant about Messi to go for more from now on. I don't put it in a way like he wouldn't fight for his national team of course. But even if he doesn't play very well I won't criticize him much.

[nullama]

~snip~
I don't want the 2026 world cup to be the worst year in Messi's career. I mean Messi has got everything in football. There is nothing else he pursues in football. Messi has become a legend and his rivalry with Ronaldo has been recorded in history. I don't have a problem if Messi is still called up for the 2026 world cup because we know Messi will really motivate young Argentine players. I just hope people don't have high expectations for Messi. And the coach also didn't put much pressure on Messi at the 2026 World Cup.

Yeah, I would much rather see Messi retire while being champion.

I don't think that Messi will have a fantastic world cup now. I think he would have an amazing retirement now.

But he's the one to make the call. Hard to stop doing something you like and you get paid a lot to do.

[Jody.Drummer]

But how well can Messi play if he wants to make the squad to take it to the World Cup? that was the question. I won't deny that he is one of the best players in the world, but to be able to enter the squad that will go to the World Cup he also has to show his best performance. and it would not be wise to force him into the list of players just because he sees that he is one of the best players in the world.
I can understand your point, but I can also understand the meaning of people who say it would be good to give young players a chance. Don't let potential young players be displaced because of the words "world's best player". The coach who will take on this task, whether he is looking at recent performances, or whether he prefers players who have more mentality and experience even though their performances have declined.

There is always a transitional period for everything. And I think right now it is going to be a transitional period for everyone. Because it is still hard for a lot of people to accept the fact that the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is over. People are literally wanting to see the retirement of Christina Ronaldo for quite some time now. A player who was the most loved in the world has somehow become the most hated as well.  Lionel Messi has not probably been able to reach the popularity of cristiano Ronaldo but he also has a lot less haters as well 

Anyway I don't think Lionel Messi will actually be able to perform at his best on the next world cup. He might also retire by then,  who knows?

Yes, the possibility still exists, he could retire at some point in the future, and he could announce his retirement without any news or rumors beforehand.
Actually there are many basic reasons to talk about Messi retiring soon, the first is of course he has won all the titles in all the competitions he participated in, be it club level or national team level. If you look at it all, it is natural that he suddenly confirmed that he would retire.
Ronaldo is also the same, he has won everything, except the World Cup title. But the problem is to get it will be very difficult to do, especially it is a 4-year competition that takes a very long time to be in the next World Cup.
You're right, more people don't like Ronaldo, I don't know why but I'm sure it's because of his attitude that tends to be hard.

[Leviathan.007]

I don't want the 2026 world cup to be the worst year in Messi's career. I mean Messi has got everything in football. There is nothing else he pursues in football. Messi has become a legend and his rivalry with Ronaldo has been recorded in history. I don't have a problem if Messi is still called up for the 2026 world cup because we know Messi will really motivate young Argentine players. I just hope people don't have high expectations for Messi. And the coach also didn't put much pressure on Messi at the 2026 World Cup.

If no one has any high expectation, then why force him to play? Messi's dream was to captain Argentina team to a World Cup trophy. He already did that in 2022. So what is left for him to achieve in 2026? Also, asking Messi to play in 2026 is like an indirect insult to the younger players such as Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández. You are indirectly saying that these players are not good enough as a 39-year old player to defend the trophy. It can be quite demotivating to the other players.

In fact, Messi is an experienced player in Argentina and he can help the team but not as a player in the 2026 World Cup, Messi is a good player and he can guide younger players like Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez to have better performances be he can do that as a coach but not as a player but currently I think Lautaro Martínez has much better performance than Messi and he can definitely help the team in the 2026 world up more than Messi.   

[PokerBetting]

~snip~
I don't want the 2026 world cup to be the worst year in Messi's career. I mean Messi has got everything in football. There is nothing else he pursues in football. Messi has become a legend and his rivalry with Ronaldo has been recorded in history. I don't have a problem if Messi is still called up for the 2026 world cup because we know Messi will really motivate young Argentine players. I just hope people don't have high expectations for Messi. And the coach also didn't put much pressure on Messi at the 2026 World Cup.

Yeah, I would much rather see Messi retire while being champion.

I don't think that Messi will have a fantastic world cup now. I think he would have an amazing retirement now.

But he's the one to make the call. Hard to stop doing something you like and you get paid a lot to do.

If one can still play, particularly with a substantial contract, it is better to continue. Except for retirement in the Argentine national team, it makes no difference. A player's salary is significantly high when compared to being a coach. If Messi wants to become a coach, he must start from the beginning and may or may not be successful or capable of coaching. This is because many players become top and skilled players when they become coaches but are poor at coaching.

[borovichok]

In fact, Messi is an experienced player in Argentina and he can help the team but not as a player in the 2026 World Cup, Messi is a good player and he can guide younger players like Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez to have better performances be he can do that as a coach but not as a player but currently I think Lautaro Martínez has much better performance than Messi and he can definitely help the team in the 2026 world up more than Messi.   

Argentina can survive with out Leo Messi? I think so because the players I've watch in previous Qater world cup, they were classic and display their potentials against top countries. Argentina deserves every bit of what they have today because they worked so hard for it. The debate of the GOATs comes to an end after Leo Messi lifted the World Cup after winning France in Penalty shootouts, it was hurting for the former Champs but they have to accept defeats in good faith. Leo Messi is important for Argentina because he has his own style of play that do creates valuable aides for his country side.

[Xxmodded]

Argentina can survive with out Leo Messi? I think so because the players I've watch in previous Qater world cup, they were classic and display their potentials against top countries. Argentina deserves every bit of what they have today because they worked so hard for it. The debate of the GOATs comes to an end after Leo Messi lifted the World Cup after winning France in Penalty shootouts, it was hurting for the former Champs but they have to accept defeats in good faith. Leo Messi is important for Argentina because he has his own style of play that do creates valuable aides for his country side.

Actually Lionel Messi is the most important players for Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2022 but I don't think Lionel Scaloni still needs him in next World Cup edition because the level competition Lionel Messi teams right now is not on the highest level such as when playing with  European team. I doubt Lionel Messi keep become the most important players for Argentina although his name still in the list for Argentina squad next World Cup.
If some one playing with the competition has lower level than European team, their performance will increase down and not the same when playing with European team. Are you expect with Lionel Messi has the same level performance last world cup and next edition of world cup?

[Leviathan.007]

In fact, Messi is an experienced player in Argentina and he can help the team but not as a player in the 2026 World Cup, Messi is a good player and he can guide younger players like Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez to have better performances be he can do that as a coach but not as a player but currently I think Lautaro Martínez has much better performance than Messi and he can definitely help the team in the 2026 world up more than Messi.   

Argentina can survive with out Leo Messi? I think so because the players I've watch in previous Qater world cup, they were classic and display their potentials against top countries. Argentina deserves every bit of what they have today because they worked so hard for it. The debate of the GOATs comes to an end after Leo Messi lifted the World Cup after winning France in Penalty shootouts, it was hurting for the former Champs but they have to accept defeats in good faith. Leo Messi is important for Argentina because he has his own style of play that do creates valuable aides for his country side.

Argentina was a strong team even before Leo Messi I remember this team was playing very well and they were playing in the World Cups even without Messi. Regardless of that, they should accept that Argentina will finally lose Messi one day and it's better for them to get ready for it and try finding younger players instead of Messi for their team.
Currently, I think Argentina doesn't want to accept the age of Messi and his current situation because he is not in the good form anymore.

[Smack That Ace]

Argentina can survive with out Leo Messi? I think so because the players I've watch in previous Qater world cup, they were classic and display their potentials against top countries. Argentina deserves every bit of what they have today because they worked so hard for it. The debate of the GOATs comes to an end after Leo Messi lifted the World Cup after winning France in Penalty shootouts, it was hurting for the former Champs but they have to accept defeats in good faith. Leo Messi is important for Argentina because he has his own style of play that do creates valuable aides for his country side.

Actually Lionel Messi is the most important players for Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2022 but I don't think Lionel Scaloni still needs him in next World Cup edition because the level competition Lionel Messi teams right now is not on the highest level such as when playing with  European team. I doubt Lionel Messi keep become the most important players for Argentina although his name still in the list for Argentina squad next World Cup.
If some one playing with the competition has lower level than European team, their performance will increase down and not the same when playing with European team. Are you expect with Lionel Messi has the same level performance last world cup and next edition of world cup?

I think it will be better for Argentina if they accept the fact that Lionel Messi is not going to perform very well in the next World Cup. And they should also plan accordingly. Now is it possible that Lionel Messi will come on as a substitute player and turn the tide of a match? Yes, it is possible.

But if they are expecting something like the Barcelona days of Lionel Messi or even the Lionel Messi from the last World Cup, I think they will be sadly mistaken. Even though Lionel Messi is definitely one of the best players in the world, I don't think even he can perform as one of the best when he is old. But I definitely think he could still be a good substitute player for Argentina to have.

Regards

Duke

[Docnaster]

In fact, Messi is an experienced player in Argentina and he can help the team but not as a player in the 2026 World Cup, Messi is a good player and he can guide younger players like Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez to have better performances be he can do that as a coach but not as a player but currently I think Lautaro Martínez has much better performance than Messi and he can definitely help the team in the 2026 world up more than Messi.   

Argentina can survive with out Leo Messi? I think so because the players I've watch in previous Qater world cup, they were classic and display their potentials against top countries. Argentina deserves every bit of what they have today because they worked so hard for it. The debate of the GOATs comes to an end after Leo Messi lifted the World Cup after winning France in Penalty shootouts, it was hurting for the former Champs but they have to accept defeats in good faith. Leo Messi is important for Argentina because he has his own style of play that do creates valuable aides for his country side.

Argentina was a strong team even before Leo Messi I remember this team was playing very well and they were playing in the World Cups even without Messi. Regardless of that, they should accept that Argentina will finally lose Messi one day and it's better for them to get ready for it and try finding younger players instead of Messi for their team.
Currently, I think Argentina doesn't want to accept the age of Messi and his current situation because he is not in the good form anymore.

The truth is that even before the birth of Lionel Messi, Argentina have already been known as one of the biggest footballing nations and should Lionel Messi decide not to continue playing for the Argentine national team, they're still gonna be major contenders for any competition they playing in and that's because of the intimidating quality of players in the Argentina national team as well as the young players in the team that's shown great potentials already.
That being said, Lionel Messi remains a pivotal member of the Argentina team and until he decides to call it a day in his illustrious international career, Messi will still be regarded as the most important member of the squad.

[Rampagoe004]

The truth is that even before the birth of Lionel Messi, Argentina have already been known as one of the biggest footballing nations and should Lionel Messi decide not to continue playing for the Argentine national team, they're still gonna be major contenders for any competition they playing in and that's because of the intimidating quality of players in the Argentina national team as well as the young players in the team that's shown great potentials already.
That being said, Lionel Messi remains a pivotal member of the Argentina team and until he decides to call it a day in his illustrious international career, Messi will still be regarded as the most important member of the squad.

But young Argentine players still really idolize Messi. Even though there are many other Argentine legends, it is certainly an honor for young Argentine players to be able to play with Messi. And it will also increase the motivation and quality of young Argentine players. But still, without Messi, Argentina is still considered one of the strongest football teams in the world. As you said they have potential young players and several players who were part of the 2020 world cup squad. This is a combination that can intimidate other teams in the world cup.

[Sithara007]

But young Argentine players still really idolize Messi. Even though there are many other Argentine legends, it is certainly an honor for young Argentine players to be able to play with Messi. And it will also increase the motivation and quality of young Argentine players. But still, without Messi, Argentina is still considered one of the strongest football teams in the world. As you said they have potential young players and several players who were part of the 2020 world cup squad. This is a combination that can intimidate other teams in the world cup.

The younger players might want to be coached by Messi, rather than be able to play with him. 2026 is far off and I am not sure whether Messi will remain fit for another 2.5 years. And since Lionel Scaloni is doing such a great job as the coach of the Argentina national football team, I am not sure whether Messi might have an opening there as well. He can become the assistant coach though. May not be a bad deal. But as I said, two and half years is like very long time, and unexpected things can occur by then.

[criptoevangelista]

But young Argentine players still really idolize Messi. Even though there are many other Argentine legends, it is certainly an honor for young Argentine players to be able to play with Messi. And it will also increase the motivation and quality of young Argentine players. But still, without Messi, Argentina is still considered one of the strongest football teams in the world. As you said they have potential young players and several players who were part of the 2020 world cup squad. This is a combination that can intimidate other teams in the world cup.

The younger players might want to be coached by Messi, rather than be able to play with him. 2026 is far off and I am not sure whether Messi will remain fit for another 2.5 years. And since Lionel Scaloni is doing such a great job as the coach of the Argentina national football team, I am not sure whether Messi might have an opening there as well. He can become the assistant coach though. May not be a bad deal. But as I said, two and half years is like very long time, and unexpected things can occur by then.

Messi will be 38 years old in 2026, it really is a big challenge to maintain all his competitiveness at that age, but as there is no one to take his place I believe he will go to this last cup and still play as a starter...

What I'm curious to know is about the Brazilian team, with its new coach Dorival Jr., this coach is very good and generally has a good relationship with the players and has their trust, despite being the worst Brazilian team of all time, I want to see if there really is a coach can make a difference.

[FanEagle]

Argentina can survive with out Leo Messi? I think so because the players I've watch in previous Qater world cup, they were classic and display their potentials against top countries. Argentina deserves every bit of what they have today because they worked so hard for it. The debate of the GOATs comes to an end after Leo Messi lifted the World Cup after winning France in Penalty shootouts, it was hurting for the former Champs but they have to accept defeats in good faith. Leo Messi is important for Argentina because he has his own style of play that do creates valuable aides for his country side.

Actually Lionel Messi is the most important players for Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2022 but I don't think Lionel Scaloni still needs him in next World Cup edition because the level competition Lionel Messi teams right now is not on the highest level such as when playing with  European team. I doubt Lionel Messi keep become the most important players for Argentina although his name still in the list for Argentina squad next World Cup.
If some one playing with the competition has lower level than European team, their performance will increase down and not the same when playing with European team. Are you expect with Lionel Messi has the same level performance last world cup and next edition of world cup?

Messi will not be the player they need for playing, he will be the player they need for leading. When a team has a commander that they would die for, that makes it a lot easier for the players to do what is right. Messi is not only the captain, but the king in that team, and his word is without questioned and straight up being done. Any manager would love a player like that as long as you get along with the player, if you do not get along with the player then that is not easy decision.

All in all I think the best way to go on would be making sure that Messi stays, it will benefit them and there is no real reason not to get him. I always say, there aren't any other player they could get instead of him that would be better than him.

[Leviathan.007]

But young Argentine players still really idolize Messi. Even though there are many other Argentine legends, it is certainly an honor for young Argentine players to be able to play with Messi. And it will also increase the motivation and quality of young Argentine players. But still, without Messi, Argentina is still considered one of the strongest football teams in the world. As you said they have potential young players and several players who were part of the 2020 world cup squad. This is a combination that can intimidate other teams in the world cup.

The younger players might want to be coached by Messi, rather than be able to play with him. 2026 is far off and I am not sure whether Messi will remain fit for another 2.5 years. And since Lionel Scaloni is doing such a great job as the coach of the Argentina national football team, I am not sure whether Messi might have an opening there as well. He can become the assistant coach though. May not be a bad deal. But as I said, two and half years is like very long time, and unexpected things can occur by then.

Messi will be 38 years old in 2026, it really is a big challenge to maintain all his competitiveness at that age, but as there is no one to take his place I believe he will go to this last cup and still play as a starter...

What I'm curious to know is about the Brazilian team, with its new coach Dorival Jr., this coach is very good and generally has a good relationship with the players and has their trust, despite being the worst Brazilian team of all time, I want to see if there really is a coach can make a difference.

It depends on himself and his own situation, if I'm not wrong, Ronaldo is currently a 39 years old and still he has good performance in every game we saw from him during this season in the Saudi League playing for Al Nassr, but none knows if anything about the future of Messi and the performance he is going to have in the next year when he gets older like Ronaldo.