As Argentina gears up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the questions of whether Lionel Messi will still be playing still remain there. Perhaps more so than before due to age and injury issues. However, behind all the conjecture, one fellow voice sticks out like a sore thumb, Angel Di Maria, past teammate and a legend in his own right, continues to say that the stage is just incomplete without the presence of Messi.
What did Angel Di Maria say?
Di Maria categorically said in an interview with an Argentine newspaper La Nacion, “Yes, yes. What ever happens, whatever shape he is in, Leo must play in the World Cup, what ever it takes. He drew comparisons between Messi and another Argentinean legend Diego Maradona, and said, “They are out of this world… we must continue to have fun.” Leo is an Alien. He is an phenomenon.”
‘Messi brings influence’
The merge of physical form and work load is the context in which Di Maria promotes Messi. Following a series of injuries, a ligament problem in the Copa America final, and a leg knock in Leagues Cup play, Messi has often not been available, which has led to questions among fans and commentators. Nevertheless, Di Maria puts up a fight. He has national team actively expanding and people anxious. It was the same when Diego was present he said, about the emotional and cultural influence Messi brings.
Started watching MLS because of Messi
Markedly, his sequential resigning of Argentina in 2024 Copa America after the national team had won back to back international championships was also that of Di Maria. However, his push to keep Messi in the game brings out the immortal Messi effect an enduring effect that has not only marked the Argentine football, but the followership worldwide. Di Maria even confessed that he started watching the MLS on sole purpose of following Messi, recalling that in his earlier years he never gave the MLS a single thought.
As the world cup approaches, just under a year, the coaching staff of Argentina, led by Lionel Scaloni is experiencing a precarious balancing act. They will need to balance the legacy of Messi and inspiration factor against pragmatic constraints of shape, fitness and player development. The one thing that is however clear is that should Di Maria have his wish the magic of Messi will once again be present on the biggest stage of world football and millions of fans across continents will find themselves smiling.
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