A Career Built on Details
Few would have blamed Lionel Messi for riding off into the sunset after Qatar. Instead, he's back for a sixth World Cup, at age 38, leading Argentina's bid to become only the third nation in the tournament's 96-year history to win consecutive titles.
The question of whether he would make Lionel Scaloni's final 26-man roster lingered until announcement day, especially after a hamstring scare in Inter Miami's final MLS match before the break. The answer arrived plainly: if Messi made himself available, he would go. He is one of 17 players from the 2022 squad in the squad again.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
The Record He Leaves
Vittorio Pozzo's Italy in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1962 remain the only back-to-back winners. Argentina came close in 1990, reaching the final before West Germany edged a dull contest decided by Andreas Brehme's penalty.
The curse that follows defending champions is well documented. Excluding France in 2022, holders have failed to exit the group stage at four of the last six World Cups.
The Part People Remember
In 1962, Brazil retained the trophy despite Pelé's groin injury. Garrincha carried the load, scoring six times in the knockout phase, and Vavà became the first player to net in two finals as the Seleção won 3–1 against Czechoslovakia. That level of dominance has not been seen since.
Argentina's task in North America this summer is simple: become the first team in 64 years to repeat. The numbers favor no one. The record does not need much decoration; it already does the talking.