By Gura Garcia
16 Oct 2024, 12:54 PM EDT
“I don’t set deadlines, I want to enjoy and I’m excited to be here,” were part of the words yesterday by Argentine striker Lionel Messi, after scoring three goals against Bolivia (6-0) and leaving his country’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup on track and practically sealed.
Messi has taken this stage of his career day by day, championship by championship, but it is evident that the fans of the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain player, especially his compatriots, dream of seeing him play in what would be his 6th world championship, which also has the added bonus of being played in the United States, the country where he currently lives. with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer.
The 3 in the race and with the dream of the 2026 World Cup
The other 2 great figures who are within reach are the Al Nassr forward and top scorer of all timeCristiano Ronaldo, as well as the Mexican goalkeeper, Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa. The Argentine, the Portuguese and the Mexican remain the only active players who are completely alone in the race for the sixth World Cup.
If there is no injury by the time the 2026 World Cup event arrives, added to a good performance in their respective clubs and national teams, it is more than clear that they have the confidence of their coaches to be able to aspire for a place and be present at the next World Cup.
It must be remembered that Messi has a current contract with Inter Miami until the end of 2025. The Argentine native of Rosario is the player with the most games played in the history of the World Cup (26). For his part, ‘Memo’ Ochoa is in a new adventure in European football and is the starting goalkeeper in the Portuguese First Division with AVS and is in the plans of the current technical director of the Mexican national team, Javier Aguirre , so he can opt for the 2026 World Cup.
The bug is an example to follow
While Cristiano Ronaldo, at 39 years of age, continues to demonstrate game after game who is experiencing a very good level both in his club in the Saudi Pro League as well as in the Nations League with Portugal, which has the consequence that the Portuguese national coach, Roberto Martínez, has full confidence in the former Manchester United player , Juventus, Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon.
Cristiano Ronaldo “does not play like a 39-year-old player,” said this past Monday the Portugal coach, the Spanish Roberto Martínez, describing the so-called CR7 as “an example” in football. “Cristiano does not work like a 39-year-old player and he certainly does not play like one,” were part of Martínez’s words at a press conference in Glasgow, where Portugal faced Scotland last Tuesday in the Nations League, a duel that ended in a goalless draw.
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