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According to Petit, Messi has nothing left to prove on the international stage after fulfilling his World Cup dream in Qatar four years ago.
Lionel Messi. (X)
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit remains doubtful about Lionel Messi’s participation in the next FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States in 2026. The former French international, however, feels Cristiano Ronaldo will represent Portugal at the quadrennial event after their heartbreaking exit from the quarter-finals in 2022. Messi wrapped up the campaign on a triumphant note as Argentina dethroned France to become the world champions for the third time in history. According to Petit, Messi has nothing left to prove on the international stage after fulfilling his World Cup dream in Qatar four years ago.
“Should Lionel Messi risk the winning end to his World Cup legacy? I remember Lilian Thuram and Zinedine Zidane coming out of retirement to help the France national team, and we all know what happened in the 2006 World Cup,” Petit told Beste Online Casino Nederland.
“If you show humility, it can work. Messi has won everything, while Cristiano Ronaldo is still desperate to win the World Cup and to have one more chance, but both will be hard to manage in different ways,” he explained further.
Petit, who scored in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil, reckons Messi might opt to continue for the sake of the team. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has featured in Argentina’s qualifying campaign. He has scored six goals and provided three assists in nine appearances.
“Messi brings pure joy to his teammates and would be hard to leave out. Ronaldo also brings motivation, but he won’t be able to play every minute,” Petit said, before adding, “When it comes to the World Cup, I hope to see both Messi and Ronaldo playing there if they are fit. I want to see Messi playing for Argentina and Ronaldo for Portugal, and it wouldn’t surprise me.”
While Messi was named the Player of the Tournament, Ronaldo managed just one goal in the 2022 World Cup. The Portuguese superstar was unable to produce anything significant in Euro 2024, where his team crashed out of the quarter-finals.
Messi, on the other hand, excelled in the Copa America in the same year. He registered 14 goals and six assists as Argentina triumphed over Colombia in the final to seal the continental title.
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