Messi: If Argentina don't win, I'd like Ronaldo to win 2026 World Cup

Argentina and MLS titleholders Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi has revealed which national team he would like to see win the 2026 FIFA World Cup if Argentina fail to defend the title they won in 2022.

"I hope we [i.e. Argentina] win the [World Cup] title again. This is my constant answer because Argentina is my country, my people, and our team is above everything for me. But if Argentina don't win this tournament, I would like Portugal and Ronaldo to win the World Cup.

I have a lot of respect for Ronaldo. What he has done for football is incredible. We have competed for many years, but the respect has always been there. I know how much it would mean for Ronaldo and Portugal to win this tournament. Ronaldo has given everything to football, and winning the World Cup would be a great way to end an incredible story. But my focus is only on Argentina. The goal and the dream is to win [the World Cup] again," Messi said, CNN reports.

In the first round of the group stage at the 2026 World Cup, Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, thanks to a hat-trick from Messi, while Portugal drew 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.