Lionel Messi dismisses Mexico as Argentina rival, other interview takeaways

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Since coming to Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi has done much of his talking on the field of play. Getting Messi in front of a camera for a casual chat about life, past successes or why he can’t go back to FC Barcelona has been hard to come by.

When Messi has spoken exclusively, it’s been through one of his brand partnerships or with a trusted journalist. This week, Messi sat with veteran broadcaster Quique Wolff of Simplemente Fútbol for a rare look into the mind of the recent World Cup winner.

Shot at Inter Miami’s training facility in Fort Lauderdale and wearing his club’s pink and black colors, Messi reminisced about the highs and lows of Argentina’s title run at the 2022 World Cup. The shock loss to Saudi Arabia, the nerve-wrecking clash against Mexico and the spectacular final against France.

The juiciest comments? The ones about Mexico.

In Mexico, Messi’s remarks about a supposed World Cup rivalry with the North American country have dominated social media, and rekindled the spice that exists between the two countries. In Doha ahead of the pivotal World Cup Group C match, Mexico’s supporters were relishing the opportunity to defeat Argentina and knock the then two-time World Cup champion, and Messi, out of the tournament. Messi would lead Argentina to a 2-0 win that electrified their fans and Lionel Scaloni’s side, and jump-started their campaign.

Lionel Messi scoring against Mexico at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. (Claudio Villa / Getty Images)

“Mexico always has support at every World Cup, every tournament. I think it was the first game (in Qatar) where it felt like, I don’t know if there were more Mexicans than Argentines, but it was very even,” said Messi.

Since then, Messi has traveled to Mexico with Inter Miami for official matches against Liga MX sides, in addition to facing Mexican clubs in the U.S. During a friendly against Club América in Las Vegas in January, Messi responded to hecklers by raising three of his fingers before making a zero on the other hand. The message: Argentina has three World Cup trophies. Mexico, nil. It divided support for Messi in Mexico.

“Honestly I don’t know what happened with the Mexicans, or when that rivalry or displeasure started,” Messi said. “They have positioned themselves as one of (Argentina’s) rivals and that doesn’t actually exist. There is no comparison between Argentina and Mexico and I don’t know where that started.”

Looking back at the World Cup triumph, Messi looked comfortable and relaxed, and clearly enjoyed reminiscing about the ultimate moment in a career filled with trophies and accomplishments.

“It’s a tournament that has moments that at some point luck will be on your side,” he added. “We were so good (at the World Cup), but things would happen to us that we couldn’t believe because of how we had played earlier in those games.”

On the final against France, which Argentina won on penalties, Messi referred to France’s comeback as “crazy,” and said that had Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez not made a kick save in second half extra time, the result would have been “terrible.” “But like I said, eventually you have luck,” he said. On Mbappe’s hat-trick performance in that final – plus a successful shootout strike – Messi responded, “Well, he can stay relaxed because he won the 2018 World Cup,” Messi added, “but it’s wild to have scored four goals in a final and not be crowned champion.”

Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup final brilliance was not enough to deny Argentina the title. (Alex Pantling / Getty Images)

Less than 500 days from the next World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, and after The Athletic reported last week that Messi is expected to extend his contract with Inter Miami, the ongoing question about whether he’ll play in his sixth World Cup, was also discussed on Thursday.

“The truth is that when you start thinking about it, it’s a long time away but at the same time it’s going to pass quickly, no?,” Messi said.

Argentina is already qualified for the World Cup with four matches remaining in South America’s qualifying tournament. Scaloni has leaned on a number of attacking players to help his side cope without Messi, who has missed several national team matches through injury since coming to America in 2023. Even without Messi, Argentina have thoroughly separated themselves from the rest of South America as the best team on the continent.

It will be interesting to see how Messi juggles his desire to continue to play for his country, and possibly win back-to-back World Cup finals, with his contract obligations with major brands that will receive a massive boost if he’s the face of a U.S. co-hosted World Cup.

“It’s a long season,” Messi said. “It’s started now and runs through December without a break in June, on top of that we have the Club World Cup in June as well, another competition. There are lots of games.”

“I think about it and wait and see but I don’t want to set that goal either. I’ll take it day by day and see how I feel physically above all else, and be honest with myself too.”

“I’m having fun and there’s nothing else that I can ask for,” Messi said. “Wanting to win will never leave me. It’s my essence and I was raised that way. I like to win and to compete, but the World Cup…like I said after that final, ‘That’s it.’ We won everything. There’s nothing left.”

Additional highlights from the interview include Messi describing his time under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona as “a Master’s in tactics” and that he grew immensely as a player under the Spanish manager. Now it’s Yamine Lamal, the 17-year-old phenom who has become one of the most promising players of the last 25 years.

Lionel Messi still speaks glowingly about his bond with his former Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola. (Christophe Simon / AFP via Getty Images)

“It’s so impressive what he shows and what he has already accomplished. He is a champion with Spain,” said Messi. “He’ll continue to grow, will add things to his game. He started on the right like me. Maybe in a few years he’ll be playing differently, as well. He’s already among the best players in the world.”

Messi is clearly happy with life in the U.S. He laughed that his three sons, all youth players for Inter Miami, play American football in the family’s backyard, and that attending the Super Bowl in New Orleans in February was “a beautiful experience because (my kids) enjoyed it. They know all about all of the players.”

Regarding his future, Messi remained steadfast during the interview that extending his playing days or committing to Argentina for the 2026 World Cup, will come down to how he feels physically.

“For me this year is going to be important (for the World Cup), to be able to play with continuity, to feel good. To be able to play and find my form…obviously one thinks about things but I live day-to-day and value how I feel. I have to be honest with myself about whether I’m capable of being there or not.”

In the meantime, Messi’s celebrity continues to grow, while the rest of the world ponders football’s future without one of the best of all time.

(Top photo: Chris Arjoon / AFP via Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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