Messi says ‘other favourites are arriving in better shape’ for World Cup

Lionel Messi says Argentina can “dream” of defending their World Cup crown, but warns that several rival nations are arriving at the tournament in better shape.

Argentina are “doing well,” the Albiceleste captain said in an interview with presenter Joaquín 'Pollo' Álvarez published on YouTube, before name-checking France, Spain and Brazil as some of the champions' biggest threats.

“There are a lot of players dealing with injuries or lacking rhythm, but the truth is that whenever this group is together it has shown that it competes and always wants to win,” said the Inter Miami star.

“We have to dream, like Argentines always do whenever there’s an official competition, whether it’s the Copa América or the World Cup, but also understand that I think there are other favourites ahead of us who are arriving in better shape," said the skipper.

For the Argentine star, “right now France are doing very well again." Messi noted they have a lot of "top-level players.”

As well as Les Bleus – whom Argentina defeated in the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – Messi picked out Spain and Brazil.

“Even though they haven’t been at their best for a little while, Brazil are always contenders and they have the players to compete in every competition,” he said.

“And then, as we always say, there’s Germany, England – the big powers. I think Portugal also have a very competitive squad, and then there’s always a surprise team that emerges too,” he added.

Messi, who turns 39 in June, has still not officially confirmed whether he will take part in the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across three nations: the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The former FC Barcelona star stressed that he has not set any time limits on his career, insisting his competitive hunger remains intact.

“I love playing football and I’ll do it until I can’t anymore,” Messi said.

He is contracted to play for Inter until December 2028.

“I’m competitive, I like winning at everything. A lot of the time I won’t even let my son win at video games. That’s just the way I am.

"A lot of the time it’s not great because I don’t know how to lose, but it’s also what made me who I am,” admitted the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

– TIMES/AFP