Verón warns Argentina can’t expect a full‑throttle Messi in 2026
The legendary Argentine midfielder shared his view on the role the Albiceleste and the Argentine superstar can play in the World Cup.
Juan Sebastián Verón — one of the most respected and outspoken voices in Argentine soccer — has weighed in on the national team’s outlook for the 2026 World Cup.
Known for his blunt takes and his storied career in Italy and England, Verón zeroed in on Lionel Messi and raised doubts about how much the 38‑year‑old superstar can realistically play this summer.
Messi enters the tournament coming off a recovery from his latest injury with Inter Miami. He’s healthy, but age is beginning to show, and Verón believes Argentina must be smart about how they use him.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni still sees Messi as the centerpiece of his system, but Verón cautioned against assuming he can repeat his heroic 2022 run.
“We need to be careful with Messi and this World Cup. If we think he can play every match from start to finish… I’m not so sure,” Verón said.
I think you have to help him and he also has to let himself be helped. That part is difficult too…
Juan Sebastián Verón
The supporting cast Verón would like to see around Messi
Verón highlighted three players he believes must shoulder more responsibility to help Messi shine:
- Julián Álvarez — high‑energy forward who can press and create space
- Enzo Fernández — midfield engine with creativity and range
- Lautaro Martínez — elite finisher who can carry the scoring load
He also praised rising talents like Nico Paz and “Flaco” López, noting that Argentina’s depth will be crucial as the tournament progresses.
If you look at the national team, it arrives different than ours in 2002, carrying an emotional burden because they come off winning the Copa América and the World Cup. The team shed that weight and arrived at the right moment.
Juan Sebastián Verón
Comparing generations — and why Verón believes Argentina can repeat
Verón couldn’t resist comparing today’s squad with the one he led in 2002. The key difference, he said, is that Scaloni’s team arrives with the confidence of having already won major titles — including the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup.
That winning pedigree, Verón argued, puts Argentina in a strong position to defend its world title.
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