Lionel Messi Defies Age, Dominates 2026 World Cup at 39 ATLANTA — Lionel Messi said it himself last year. "Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it," Messi said when asked about a push toward the 2026 tournament. But very little about Messi is logical. Here he is, defying reason at the 2026 World Cup, tied atop the Golden Boot race at age 39, matching top stars in their prime. He remains the fulcrum of the Argentina team. The Albiceleste will go as far as the man born in 1987 takes them. Yet, it also is not easy for Messi to press on when most others have moved into coaching or media careers. As he stares down a round of 16 test against Egypt that could be his last World Cup match if Argentina isn't able to win, he is putting in considerable effort. "That’s what characterizes this World Cup, specifically, it’s very even, very tough, every game is going to be so tough," Messi said after a 3-2 win over Cape Verde, in which Argentina needed extra time to see off the African side. What is the Argentina national team saying about Messi's longevity? Lionel Scaloni is running out of ways to speak about Messi to the press, sometimes saying words are not enough to describe what he is seeing from his friend and biggest star. Ahead of Tuesday's match with Egypt, he simply gave a status update with a smile. "Leo, I think is good," he said. "He didn’t report any issue despite playing 120 minutes the other day at 39 years old. If he has something, he didn’t tell me, so he’ll play anyway!" When Messi does play, he often plays a full match, but his status for the tournament was thrown into doubt when he left his final club match before heading to the World Cup with an injury issue.#lionel_messi #inter_miami #rodrigo_de_paul #lionel_scaloni #argentina_national_team
Rodrigo de Paul Warns Argentina to Stay Focused on Cape Verde Match Rodrigo de Paul, the 2022 World Cup-winning midfielder for Argentina, has cautioned his teammates against looking beyond their upcoming round-of-32 match against Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup. The defending champions, who have dominated Group J with three consecutive victories, are considered strong favorites to advance further in the tournament. However, de Paul emphasized the need to maintain focus on the immediate challenge, warning against complacency. The Inter Miami player, who rested in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan, highlighted the importance of keeping the young squad grounded despite their impressive start. “It would be a mistake to think beyond Friday’s game,” de Paul said. “Tomorrow’s game is the last one—how I’m looking at it. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it isn’t the last one and that there are more to come. That’s my mindset.” His comments come amid concerns that the team’s early success could lead to overconfidence, a risk he believes must be mitigated. Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has been instrumental in the team’s group-stage dominance, scoring six goals in three matches. The squad has scored eight goals while conceding just one, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. De Paul acknowledged Messi’s leadership, noting that the forward’s ability to inspire the team is critical. “We tell the young players that every time we put on this jersey, it could be the last time,” de Paul said. “It’s up to us to make sure it isn’t. The only way I’ve found over these past eight or nine years to keep wearing this jersey is to never want it to end and to give it my all.” The midfielder’s remarks also reflect the broader context of the tournament, where even top teams have faced unexpected exits.#lionel_messi #argentina #inter_miami #rodrigo_de_paul #cape_verde
Argentina's World Cup Path: Fixture List and Route to the Final Argentina secured their place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup after topping Group J with victories over Algeria and Austria. The team, led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, continues to rely on its core squad that won the 2022 tournament, including midfielders Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, and Rodrigo de Paul. Lionel Messi, now 39, has been instrumental in the group stages, scoring five goals in his first two matches, setting the stage for a potential repeat of history as the first team to retain the World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. Following their group stage success, Argentina will face Cabo Verde in the Round of 32. The African nation, making its World Cup debut, drew with Spain and Uruguay in the group phase but is unlikely to pose a significant threat to Argentina’s dominance. The match is scheduled for July 3 in Miami. If Argentina advances, they will next encounter the winner of the Australia-Egypt clash in the Round of 16. Both teams finished second in their respective groups and have shown limited capacity to challenge top-tier teams. The Round of 16 match is set for July 7 in Atlanta. In the quarterfinals, Argentina could face the Group K winner, which includes Colombia, or alternatively, Switzerland or Ghana if the South American side makes an unlikely deep run. The quarterfinal is scheduled for July 11 in Kansas City. The semifinals present a more challenging prospect, with Argentina likely to face one of the dominant teams from the other bracket. Potential opponents include Brazil, England, Norway, or Japan, all of which are strong contenders. The semifinal is set for July 15 in Atlanta. If Argentina reaches the final, they will face the winner of the other side of the bracket.#argentina #enzo_fernandez #rodrigo_de_paul #lionel_scaloni #alexis_mac_allister
Rodrigo De Paul and two other key players missed Inter Miami’s final training session ahead of their Matchday 5 clash against New York City FC in the 2026 MLS season. The team’s preparations for the game were affected by injuries, with several important squad members unavailable for the session. According to reporter Jose Armando, Rodrigo De Paul was absent from the morning training session, while Maxi Falcon and Sergio Reguilon also did not participate. Falcon’s absence is due to an injury sustained during the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16, where he had to leave the match against Nashville SC in the opening minutes on March 11. Reguilon, who had recently recovered from a preseason knee sprain, made his Inter Miami debut last week and started both matches against Charlotte FC and Nashville SC. However, he suffered another injury during the Nashville game, forcing him out of the lineup. Despite the setbacks, Inter Miami’s star players Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are expected to be available for the NYCFC match. Messi, who recently assisted on his 900th career goal, is in good shape to play, while Suarez’s availability remains confirmed. The team faces a crucial test against the league leaders, NYCFC, who currently hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 10 points. Inter Miami, now focused on MLS and the Leagues Cup, sits in third place in the conference with seven points after four matches. The club’s attention is fully on the league following their elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup. Coach Javier Mascherano emphasized the need to move forward, stating that the team must prove their resilience by performing well in the league.#javier_mascherano #luis_suarez #rodrigo_de_paul #maxi_falcon #sergio_reguilon
