A world champion's praise: Kempes in awe of Messi at World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

The great campaign the Argentina National Team has been putting together at the World Cup has not gone unnoticed by local football legends. This time, Mario Alberto Kempes, top scorer and star of the 1978 World Cup, did not hold back in his praise when describing the current form of Lionel Messi, highlighting both his lasting brilliance and his intact ability to unsettle opponents.

“He makes you look foolish”

In remarks that quickly echoed throughout the football world, the Matador analyzed the impact the Argentine captain still has on the pitch despite the passing of the years:

“You can’t give Messi a yard. You think he’s tired or disconnected from the match, but in one play he changes the tempo and makes you look foolish. It’s incredible that at his age he still maintains that clarity and that mental speed to tear defenses apart,” Kempes said bluntly.

Messi’s role in the current setup

For the former striker from Córdoba, the key to the No. 10’s performances lies both in his individual genius and in the maturity with which he manages his energy and brings out the best in his teammates:

With this backing from one of the greatest figures in the history of the Albiceleste, Lionel Scaloni’s team continues its run in the tournament with the captain as its standard-bearer and the dream of back-to-back titles more alive than ever.

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