Previous World Cup appearances: 18Best performance: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)First appearance: 1930 (Uruguay)Top goal scorer: Lionel Messi (13)Most appearances: Lionel Messi (26)Player to watch: Lionel MessiFIFA world ranking: 3Defending champions Argentina are bidding to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back titles.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listAfter Argentina beat France in an incredible final in Qatar 2022, many thought it would be the crowning glory of Lionel Messi’s career and that he would have retired from international football by 2026.But the Inter Miami player, who turns 39 during the tournament, plays on and is aiming to repeat the feat in North America, in what really will be his final World Cup.However, winning this tournament appears to be even harder than lifting the last edition.Not only is Messi four years older and in relative decline; other members of the squad are also ageing. And while Argentina has many promising young players, some have been left at home.How much of a force is Messi?Assuming he overcomes a relatively minor hamstring injury, Messi will lead Argentina into their opening game at the tournament against Algeria on June 16.While Messi is still banging in the goals for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, he is far from the force he was at the 2022 edition. His minutes during an intense and long tournament will have to be managed carefully.Messi’s main contribution might be more in terms of presence and aura rather than goals, but he remains a visionary player and a major set-piece threat, even as he has lost some power and speed as he pushes 40. Advertisement Messi will most likely retire from international football after the 2 …
