Nicolás Otamendi’s Confidence in Messi
Nicolás Otamendi, a central defender for Benfica and a long-time teammate of Lionel Messi on the Argentine national squad, has expressed confidence that Messi will participate in the 2026 World Cup. While the iconic forward, who was celebrated as the standout player at the previous World Cup, has not yet declared his plans for the upcoming tournament, Otamendi remains optimistic.
“As the World Cup approaches, I believe he will ultimately make his decision,” Otamendi stated during an interview with Radio La Red. He firmly added, “However, I can’t picture a scenario where Leo misses the World Cup.”
Messi’s Current Focus
Messi, now 38 years old, is actively engaged in the FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Miami, where he is set to compete against his former team, Paris Saint-Germain, in the round of 16 this Sunday. Otamendi, who has shared the field with Messi since 2009, hopes to see the Argentine captain play in his sixth World Cup.
Reflecting on Messi’s unparalleled abilities, Otamendi remarked, “Leo is Leo; he is the greatest player in the history of soccer. In this moment, he is focusing on the Club World Cup and enjoying his time on the field. His mindset is to take it one month at a time, paying attention to how he feels.”
Messi’s Decision and Performance
Otamendi emphasized that Messi’s decision would largely be based on his physical condition, though he highlighted Messi’s innate desire to compete and support his team, saying, “It’s part of his DNA; Leo stands out from the rest.”
This season, in 13 league matches for Inter Miami, Messi has notably scored ten goals and registered six assists, earning the title of MLS Player of the Month back in May. His last major triumph with Argentina occurred at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the team overcame an unexpected loss to Saudi Arabia in their first match to secure the championship. Following this victory, he guided Argentina to win the Copa América in 2024.
Argentina is also already confirmed to play in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
