Lionel Messi and Argentina could be the favorites for the 2022 World Cup.
This is according to the journalist Guillem Balague (opens in a new tab)who wrote the biography Messi (opens in a new tab). Balague knows the little genius better than most so FourFourTwo wanted to ask him if he thinks the tournament in Qatar could be the perfect end to the 35-year-old’s international career.
“He never said it was the last!” Balague laughs…
Guillem Balague: Lionel Messi and Argentina are as good as anyone at the 2022 World Cup
“It will logically be the last,” says Balague, with TFF sitting counting fingers to determine that Messi will be 39 by the time the Greatest Show on Earth unfolds once again. But enough about four years – do Argentina have enough to win the 2022 World Cup?
“The team is 35, 36 games unbeaten, the team is playing to their strengths, they attack together and defend together with a clear sense of leadership and no ego issues,” Balague said. “Messi is very sharp and they just need luck, a good draw and anything can happen.
“They are as good as Brazil and European teams are a cut below. It takes so much to win a World Cup. With less in the squad, they managed to get to the World Cup final in 2014 – with less form.” Messi too.”
Back then, of course, Messi was awarded the Ballon d’Or for a phenomenal tournament in which he almost single-handedly coached Argentina to a showdown with Germany. For some, the lack of a world title is what keeps him from winning debates over who is the greatest player on Earth.
For Balague, there is no contest, however.
“I really hope he wins it…just to finish the argument,” he said. “For me, he’s the best player to ever play football.”
Maybe if he doesn’t win it, he’ll be back in 2026…
