Lionel Messi’s 2026 FIFA World Cup form has left Spain’s head coach amazed

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Spain head coach Luis De La Fuente heaped praise on Lionel Messi amid his marvellous 2026 World Cup run at 39 years old.

Spain is heading into their quarter-final clash against Belgium as the only team in the World Cup yet to concede a goal, while Argentina has the Golden Boot leader Messi for its QF clash against Switzerland.

Regardless, head coach De La Fuente couldn’t hide his feelings about Messi’s 2026 World Cup run.

De La Fuente praises the ageless Lionel Messi at 2026 World Cup

In a press conference before Spain’s clash against Belgium, De La Fuente praised Messi’s level of play by remarking how he looks nearly 20 years younger than his actual age.

“Messi looks like he’s 19 or 23 years old. He’s performing at an exceptional level. It’s not just his maturity anymore, but above all, his commitment. He’s tireless, he’s never satisfied. He always wants more, every single day. He’s an example for all of his teammates, for football lovers, and for everyone who’s just starting out in the game”.

Messi is the de facto Golden Boot leader with eight goals, having played one fewer match than Kylian Mbappe, who reached the eight-goal tally during France’s QF win over Morocco.

Messi is widely considered the frontrunner for his third World Cup Golden Ball for singlehandedly carrying Argentina’s offense through the tournament.

De La Fuente’s defense could face a Lionel Messi test in the Final

Spain and Argentina are currently on opposite ends of the World Cup bracket, meaning they can only meet in the Final.

If the reigning Euro champions Spain can defeat Belgium, they’ll be faced with the giant-killing task of eliminating France in the semi-finals to book their spot in the Final.

If Argentina beat Switzerland, they’ll need to beat the winner of England vs. Norway in the semis to return to Messi’s third World Cup Final in four editions.

Argentina is currently favored to emerge out of their end of the bracket to book a spot in the Final, while Spain will have to overcome a major French challenge to return to the Final for the first time since their 2010 triumph.

A lot of questions need to be answered before we reckon with a World Cup final pitting Messi’s home nation and the reigning champions against the nation Messi could’ve represented.