Argentina's Title Defense: Can Messi Do It Again?
The defending champions return with their core intact and the greatest player of all time still pulling the strings.
No team has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. Argentina, the reigning champions, arrive in North America attempting to end that 64-year drought.
The core of the 2022 triumph remains largely intact. Lionel Messi, now 38 and playing for Inter Miami, continues to defy age. His role has evolved — fewer explosive dribbles, more moments of pure genius from deeper positions — but his influence on the team remains absolute.
Julián Álvarez has developed into a more complete forward at Atlético Madrid. Enzo Fernández controls midfield tempo. The defense, anchored by Cristian Romero, remains one of the world's most organized units. Lionel Scaloni's tactical flexibility — Argentina can dominate possession or counter-attack depending on the opponent — makes them difficult to prepare for.
The biggest challenge may be psychological. The hunger that drove Argentina through 2022 was fueled by years of near-misses. Can they summon that same desperation as defending champions?
If any player can will his team to back-to-back titles, it's Messi. The football world watches, knowing this is almost certainly his World Cup farewell.