With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, a bombshell admission from former Argentina star Pablo Zabaleta has sent shockwaves through the soccer world — and raised urgent questions about Lionel Messi’s ability to carry the defending champions to glory.
In an exclusive interview that has fans buzzing, Zabaleta didn’t mince words when assessing the current state of the 38-year-old icon. “Obviously, we don’t have the Messi of five years ago that maybe he can drop deep and get a ball, you know, on the halfway line and just run as before,” the former defender confessed to The National.
Is Messi’s Magic Fading at the Worst Possible Time?
Sources close to the Argentina camp reportedly worry that the superstar’s physical decline — a subject of heated speculation for years — could become a major storyline during the tournament. Messi himself fueled the fire when he publicly questioned whether he’d even be in the squad for 2026. Now, with his spot locked in, all eyes are on how much he has left in the tank.
Zabaleta, however, insists the legend still has game-changing ability. “He’s still really good, or good enough to dribble past two, three players and put the ball in the top corner,” he noted. “He’s the main man for those moments of magic or that creativity he brings into the team. If you let Messi get a ball in the final third outside the box…”
The Clock Is Ticking — Messi Turns 39 Mid-Tournament
Adding to the drama? Messi will celebrate his 39th birthday on June 24 — right in the thick of Argentina’s group-stage run. By then, La Albiceleste will have already faced Algeria and Austria, with a final group match against Jordan looming three days later. Insiders say the grueling schedule could test the veteran’s durability like never before.
Can Argentina’s Supporting Cast Save the Day?
Zabaleta, who shared the pitch with Messi for over a decade, revealed that the entire squad is reportedly laser-focused on one mission: doing whatever it takes to set up their captain. “It is Messi surrounded by players that want to do well for Messi. They want to run as much as they can for Messi,” Zabaleta explained. “I think if the team manages to find a way to rest off the ball, when they get back in possession, they can find him in a good position, he still can do the rest.”
According to reports, team morale is high, but the pressure is immense. “He still has that quality to win games, to score goals. At the end of the day, that’s all you need at the World Cup, is to win games,” Zabaleta added. “We need to enjoy it because it could be Messi’s last World Cup. Hopefully, he still has that moment of magic to win games and to win the World Cup. Why not?”
Why Zabaleta’s Words Carry So Much Weight
As a former Manchester City and West Ham standout who made 58 appearances for Argentina — including the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 Copa America — Zabaleta knows Messi’s game better than most. The two won the U-20 World Cup together in 2005 and have shared countless battles on the biggest stages. When a teammate of that caliber speaks, the soccer world listens.
With kickoff just days away, the question on every fan’s mind: Can an aging Messi still summon the brilliance that defined his prime? Or is this the moment the fairy tale finally ends?
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