International press hails the Selección after the rout | OneFootball

In the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, Argentina’s 3-0 win over Iceland in the return of Lionel Messi, who got minutes again after the discomfort he had been carrying since Inter Miami, got people talking. Various media outlets around the world reflected on the Albiceleste’s victory and highlighted that the team arrives in rhythm to defend the crown won in Qatar.

La Pulga came on in the 69th minute against the Europeans and, just 119 seconds later, got on the scoresheet by converting a penalty with an exquisite finish at Jordan-Hare Stadium, home of Auburn University in Alabama. His performance did not go unnoticed. “Messi played, thus dispelling doubts about his recent hamstring issues. He scored a penalty after coming on as a substitute and appears set to be fully fit when Argentina begins the defense of its title with its Group J match against Algeria next Tuesday,” the British outlet The Guardian wrote.

From coming on to scoring: Lionel Messi returned in style for Argentina

In Spain, they went even further, and the newspaper As ran a forceful headline: “Messi strikes fear”. It also highlighted the assist he nearly provided to Lautaro Martínez as soon as he stepped onto the field, which led to the penalty. It also pointed to his role in the move for Thiago Almada’s third goal after a great team play.

Spain’s As newspaper highlighted Argentina’s power with Messi as its standard-bearer

The French outlet also echoed Messi’s performance against Iceland

In France, the newspaper L’Equipe, highly critical during his time at PSG, remarked that the Rosario-born star had a decisive return and that “with his introduction from the bench, Argentina easily got past Iceland in its final warm-up match before the World Cup.” Meanwhile, Le Parisien referred to Messi’s “triumphant” return before the World Cup and presented Argentina as one of the contenders thanks to its star man.

Lastly, Mundo Deportivo highlighted his record: “In 20 minutes, with an assist and with a goal that was much more than his 117th strike in 199 matches for the Albiceleste. It was the goal that made him the oldest scorer in the history of the national team at 38 years, 11 months and 14 days, surpassing the legendary Ángel Labruna.” Even in Brazil they marveled at the No. 10. “He scored Argentina’s second goal from the penalty spot, started the move for the third, scored by Thiago Almada, and showed his skill, in addition to his well-known talent, in every touch,” reported Globo Esporte.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.