Dembele Backs 38-Year-Old Messi for 2026 World Cup Glory with Argentina

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, speculation naturally surrounds Argentina's prospects of defending their title, particularly concerning their talismanic captain, Lionel Messi. French forward Ousmane Dembele has weighed in on the debate, offering a resounding endorsement of Messi's enduring ability to guide his team to victory once more. Despite Messi being 38 years old and set to participate in what will reportedly be his sixth and possibly final World Cup, Dembele believes his former Barcelona colleague remains a formidable force.

Dembele, who played alongside Messi during his tenure at Camp Nou, expressed unwavering confidence in the Argentine's capacity to continue dominating the sport. "He is the best I've ever seen, the best that has ever been seen in football," Dembele stated, emphasizing that Messi's age does not diminish his on-field threat. The French international highlighted Messi's continued danger to opponents, remarking that he is "fully capable of winning it again," a testament to the forward's exceptional talent and influence.

Dembele's comments come as he prepares for his own significant role with the French national team, who are themselves considered strong contenders for the 2026 tournament, hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. France will be looking to go one better than their 2022 performance, where they fell to Messi's Argentina in a memorable final. While acknowledging the competitive landscape of a 48-team World Cup, Dembele downplayed the significance of pre-tournament favourites, suggesting that the label holds little weight in modern football, but his belief in Messi's individual brilliance remains absolute.