Lionel Messi Interview: World Cup Dreams, Competitive Fire, and the Secret to His Success | OneFootball

Lionel Messi sat down with Argentine presenter Pollo Álvarez for a rare, wide-ranging interview published on YouTube on May 8, 2026, just weeks before the World Cup kicks off.

Argentina Can Dream, But Others Arrive Stronger

Messi said Argentina are “doing well,” but was candid in pointing to France, Spain, and Brazil as some of the reigning champions’ biggest threats heading into the tournament. He also noted that Portugal has a very competitive squad, and acknowledged that Germany, England, and other traditional powerhouses are always in the mix. Then he reminded fans that there’s always a surprise team at every World Cup.

On Brazil, he was diplomatic: he acknowledged they haven’t been at their best for a while, but insisted they are always a contender.

He also touched on Neymar, saying he couldn’t be fully objective because Neymar is a friend, but expressed that he’d love to see him at the World Cup because he deserves it.

He added that whenever Neymar is available, he’s always one of the best.

Retirement? Not a Topic He’s Ready to Address

Messi, who turns 39 in June, has still not officially confirmed whether he will take part in the tournament. He stressed that he has not set any time limits on his career, saying his competitive hunger remains intact: “I love playing football and I’ll do it until I can’t anymore.”

The Competitive Mentality Behind His Greatness

One of the most talked-about moments came when Messi explained his relentless winning mindset. He revealed that he is so driven by victory that he won’t even let his own sons beat him at video games. “That’s just the way I am, and it’s what led me to achieve everything I’ve achieved. I don’t know how to lose, but that’s what made me who I am.”

Ranking His Career Moments

During a fun segment where Álvarez asked him to rank his best career moments, Messi was reluctant, saying it was too difficult and subjective. Rodrigo De Paul, who was present at the interview, ended up stepping in to help rank them himself. De Paul joked that Messi has been “prime” for 20 years.

Ultimately, when it came to a tiered list of his career highlights, Messi placed Argentina’s World Cup win at the very top.

Also…

Excerpts from Pollo Álvarez’s interview with Rodrigo De Paul.Insights on Argentina’s preliminary 55-man World Cup roster.