"Obviously he won’t be the Leo he always was" - Sergio Aguero predicts if Lionel Messi will be a part of Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad

Former Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has predicted that superstar forward Lionel Messi will make it into La Albiceleste's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 36-year-old believes that although his compatriot would physically be at the tournament, he would not be on the same level that he has always been.

Messi earned the ultimate prize in football in 2022, banishing the ghosts of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final defeat (1-0 a.e.t. to Germany). He marshaled Argentina to victory in Qatar after a 4-2 on penalties against France in the final. He bagged seven goals and three assists in seven games and won his second Golden Ball.

Rumors about the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's potential retirement have been doing the rounds. Many fans, pundits, and players believe that he is on the verge of hanging up his boots.

However, Aguero, who made 86 senior appearances alongside Messi, believes the latter will make Argentina's squad for the upcoming World Cup.

The former City frontman said on ESPN F12 (via Inter Miami News):

"I think Messi will make it to 2026, he will take care of himself. Obviously he won’t be the Leo he always was, but give him a few free kicks or a few assists and he will make them. He can get there physically. If he wants to, he will, because he takes good care of himself."

Messi has made 189 senior appearances for Argentina, racking up 112 goals and 57 assists in the process. The 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With Miami confirmed to be one of the host cities, the Inter Miami superstar could play at the tournament.

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"They have been there and done that" - Pundit makes claim about Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez ahead of Inter Miami's do-or-die clash vs Atlanta United

Former New England Revolution attacker Taylor Twellman believes that Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will be at their best in Inter Miami's do-or-die Game 3 against Atlanta United.

The Herons are currently in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs, taking on Atlanta United in Round 1. While they won 2-1 in Game 1 at home (October 25), they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Game 2 (November 2).

Ahead of Game 3, Twellman has claimed that he expects Miami to show up firing on all cylinders, with their two marquee attackers leading the way. The 44-year-old said on MLS' official YouTube channel (via Inter Miami News):

"Do I expect Inter Miami to turn up? Absolutely. At home, they're dominant, they only lost three times in 21 games in all competitions, they scored 55 goals in those games, 30 of those scored by their two MVP candidates, Suarez and Messi."

"Those two will have to be at their best, and in these circumstances, there are not two players who have been there and done that better in MLS than the two friends from Barcelona," Twellman added.

The win-or-go-home Game 3 of the Round 1 match-up between Inter Miami and Atlanta United will be played at the Chase Stadium on November 9.