Lionel Messi says Argentina will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the belief and determination to win the trophy again.

The Argentina captain is expected to lead the defending champions when the tournament kicks off across the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2025. Messi inspired his country to a historic triumph in Qatar in 2022, lifting the World Cup for the third time in Argentina’s history.

Speaking to TouchlineX, Messi made it clear that the team’s ambition has not changed. When asked if Argentina can retain the title, he replied: “Yes. I believe this is a group that will try to win the World Cup again, and will give everything and fight.”

Argentina has already secured qualification for the 2026 finals and will go into the competition among the favourites, with a strong core of players built around Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Meanwhile, a preview released by ESPN Argentina on Wednesday offered a glimpse into Messi’s wider reflections during an upcoming exclusive interview. The forward spoke warmly about his former coach, Pep Guardiola, under whom he enjoyed some of his finest years at Barcelona.

Messi said, “In my opinion, Pep Guardiola is unique. Many coaches are very good, but he has something different. For me, he is the best among all coaches.”

He added that Guardiola’s strength lies in his attention to detail and influence on the game. The former PSG star said, “In terms of observing things, preparing for matches, and communicating information to players, he is extremely comprehensive. He is the best, and we were fortunate to have him at Barcelona. Moreover, he worked seamlessly with our players at that time, and all the elements came together perfectly to achieve all the accomplishments.”

Messi praised Guardiola’s impact beyond trophies, pointing to his influence on playing styles in Europe. He said, “He went elsewhere and continued to win, not just because of victories, but because of the way his teams played. While at Bayern, although he failed to win the Champions League, he changed the way football was played in Germany. Similarly, in England, he led Manchester City to change the way the league was played.”