Messi says Argentina among World Cup favorites, but other contenders come in stronger

Lionel Messi believes his Argentina team enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the favorites to lift the trophy this summer but cautioned fans to be wary of other teams that go into the tournament even stronger.

Messi led Argentina to the 2022 title and, despite turning 39 during this year's tournament, is expected to lead the team's title defense this summer. But injuries to key players and strong showings from other teams has Messi warning that a repeat will not come easily.

"Honestly, we’re coming in well," Messi said. "While there are a lot of guys going through injuries or a lack of rhythm because of one thing or another, the truth is when the group is together, we’ve shown it’s a group that competes, that always wants to win, that gives everything to be able to try to reach the goal. It’s a World Cup. We know the World Cup always is tough because of the national teams that are there.

"You have to dream like an Argentine always dreams when there is an official competition, Copa América or World Cup, but also to know that there are other favorites in front of us who come in better as a group, as a national team. This Argentina is always going to go to compete and give it all."

Who did Leo Messi pick as his World Cup favorites?

Pressed to give his list, Messi noted he expects a challenge from some of the usual suspects, including Argentina's 2022 World Cup final opponent and a South American rival.

"Well, I think today France is really good again, it has a lot of players at a great level," Messi said. "I think Spain, Brazil — while they weren’t at their best not long ago, Brazil is always a candidate and has the players to compete in every official tournament. After that, we always say Germany, England are always powers. Portugal has a very competitive national team.

"There’s always a surprise, too. Strange things happen or things you didn’t imagine before. There are a lot of national teams at great levels."

The comments came during an interview with Argentine broadcaster Joaquin "Pollo" Alvarez in which Messi also spoke about his competitive edge, his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo and worked with the host to rank moments in his career in which he was most in his prime — a segment "interrupted" by Inter Miami and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who completed the exercise for "La Pulga Atomica".

They return to the field Saturday, May 9 when Inter Miami travels to take on Toronto FC. Argentina's next match is a warm-up friendly June 6 against Honduras at Texas A&M's Kyle Field. The Albiceleste then takes on Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, before the World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16.

Center back Nicolas Otamendi is now eligible for that opener after initially being set to miss it with suspension because of a red card in the final World Cup qualification contest.