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Lionel Messi has backed Argentina to defend their FIFA World Cup title next summer. However, he acknowledged that they had luck on their side in Qatar in 2022 and will need it in 2026 as well.
Argentina won their third FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, 36 years after they had won their second in 1986. They beat France on penalties in an enthralling final, which ended 3-3 after extra time. Lionel Messi led his team to the trophy and won the Golden Ball as well.
La Albiceleste are now gearing up to defend their trophy next year in the US, Canada, and Mexico. When asked if Argentina can win the World Cup again, Messi told ESPN (h/t All About Argentina):
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"Can what happened in Qatar be repeated? Yes, I believe it's a group that will try again, and will give everything and fight. The World Cup is very difficult, any team can make things tough for you and eliminate you. The ball might hit the post and go out, or hit the post and go in, and just like that, your journey ends or you lose on penalties.
"In the last World Cup, luck was on our side, even though we were greatly superior in our matches against the Netherlands and France, we ended up going to penalties, and then we had the beast as a goalkeeper who made us win. But it can happen that you reach penalties and don't win, it's very hard to win the World Cup," he added.
The Lionel Messi-led side went to penalties against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, despite leading 2-0 until the 83rd minute. However, they ended up winning 4-3 in the shootout.
Lionel Messi yet to confirm his participation at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Many expect it to be the last time Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the Argentina captain has yet to confirm his participation in the tournament. In an interview with SPORT in November, he spoke about needing full fitness and form before making a decision.
Messi said:
"I don't want to be a burden, so to speak. I want to feel physically fit, to be sure I can help and contribute to the team. Our season is different from the European one. We'll have a pre-season in between, with few matches leading up to the WC, and we'll see how things go day by day to see if I really feel physically fit enough to be where I'd like to be and be able to participate.
"But obviously, I'm aware that it's a World Cup, and it's special, and that the World Cup is the biggest competition there is. So, I'm excited, but I'm taking it one day at a time," he added.
Lionel Messi has scored 43 goals and provided 24 assists in 48 games across competitions for Inter Miami this season. He also won the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 games.
