Ex-Benfica star wants Messi at World Cup 2026: He has to be there | OneFootball

Ángel Di María left Benfica this summer transfer window and returned to Rosario Central. Now, in Argentine football, in an interview with 'La Nacion', he spoke about the expectations surrounding Lionel Messi's presence in the 2026 World Cup in North America, to defend the World Champion title won in the last edition of the tournament.

"Leo has to play the World Cup, no matter what happens. He is who he is, and he makes the team grow and keeps people excited. He is who he is. It's like when Diego was there. It's them, and there's no one else like them. They are from another planet, they are not from here," Di María began, who played many times alongside Messi and was essential in winning all of Argentina's titles.

Lionel Messi is already 38 years old and is in the United States living the last years of his career: "We have to keep enjoying and I hope Leo arrives in the best possible shape. He is an extraterrestrial, we shouldn't miss the opportunity to keep watching him. I never watched MLS and now I have a ticket to see Inter Miami games, just because he's there, because I want to keep seeing him."

Scaloni's work was praised by the former Benfica player: "One of the most important things about the coaching staff, and something people might never have believed would happen, is that they didn't commit to anyone beyond the jersey. And they demonstrated that. When they had to leave Paredes on the bench, they did; when they had to leave me on the bench, they put another player; when they had to leave Gio because Alexis was doing well, they did, and the same happened with Lautaro and Julián."

Di María has already left the national team and now hopes to see young players take on his role with prominence, such as Mastantuono: "He has incredible potential. I hope he succeeds. The city is spectacular and he will adapt very easily. Playing for Real Madrid is something unique and he needs to make the most of it."

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