Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
As Lionel Messi nears the top of his illustrious profession, lingering damage issues have raised doubts about his participation within the 2026 World Cup. With the event set to be held within the USA, Canada, and Mexico, one France legend who has usually highlighted Messi’s uniqueness over Kylian Mbappe has shared his ideas on the Argentina star’s hopes of taking part in within the subsequent World Cup.
For practically 20 years, Messi has dominated the soccer world, incomes admiration from followers and rivals alike. A type of admirers is Hugo Lloris, the legendary French goalkeeper who was a part of the squad that completed as runners-up within the 2022 World Cup, the place Messi lifted the long-awaited trophy. Years earlier, Lloris known as Messi a one-of-a-kind participant, a sentiment he reiterated in 2018.
“Is Mbappe just like Messi? No, Messi is exclusive. It’s completely unimaginable to check him to anybody,” Lloris mentioned throughout a press convention forward of the Spherical of 16 conflict within the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Lloris and Messi’s participation within the 2026 World Cup
Now retired from worldwide obligation and taking part in for Los Angeles FC, Lloris continues to carry Messi in excessive regard. In a current interview with Argentine outlet La Nacion, the Frenchman was requested about Messi’s probabilities of that includes within the 2026 World Cup. His response was direct and optimistic:
“I don’t see Argentina with out Messi within the subsequent World Cup. I imagine he’ll be there. He’s nonetheless taking part in and having fun with soccer. It’s his resolution, however after all we wish to hold watching him play,” the goalkeeper acknowledged.
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Messi just lately missed Argentina’s matches in opposition to Uruguay and Brazil on account of damage. Firstly of the 2026 World Cup, Messi might be 38, turning 39 in the course of the competitors. Regardless of his age, Lloris is assured that Messi will nonetheless be representing Argentina on the worldwide stage.
Lloris’ LAFC vs. Messi’s Inter Miami
Lloris is about to face Messi within the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals between LAFC and Inter Miami. The French goalkeeper mentioned the joy surrounding the matchup and his preparations to face the Argentine star:
“I put together particularly after I play in opposition to Leo. And it’s all the time a really tough job. Plus, there are nice gamers at Inter Miami… there’s additionally Luis Suarez, Busquets, Jordi Alba, and so forth. You positively should be ready,” the goalkeeper admitted.
When requested if he had ever acquired Messi’s shirt after a match, Lloris gave a barely awkward response: “No, no… I didn’t get the possibility, it makes me a bit uncomfortable, haha. I’ve by no means been in a position to get Messi’s shirt… I actually admire Leo. For me, he’s on the prime of the checklist of the best gamers, little doubt. I belong to the technology that acquired to see and play in opposition to Leo.”
