World Cup 2026: Müller Questions Messi’s Impact on Argentina

In Thomas Müller’s opinion, football icon Lionel Messi’s participation in the World Cup would not necessarily make defending champions Argentina any better. “From my point of view, it would be an interesting project if he were there. That could of course change the entire structure of this team – whether for better or for worse,” said Müller in an interview on Magenta TV.

Messi (38), who faced Müller in the final of the US MLS league a few weeks ago, makes his participation in the XXL tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada dependent on his physical condition. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has already taken part in five World Cup finals – in 2022 he was crowned world champion with Argentina.

With Messi in the team, Müller found that teammates and coaches would have to adapt. Recalling the most recent encounter, the Vancouver Whitecaps professional said: “When he had the ball, he just completely exploded and exploded in the right spaces and then really initiated a lot of things. I doubt whether it would work like that on the spur of the moment at an international level.” But he has Argentina on his radar as the World Cup favorite, said the 2014 world champion, who himself is working as a TV expert in the summer.

Müller on the German draw: “Obligatory progress”

The long-time Bundesliga professional from FC Bayern Munich did not reveal whether he believed the German team could win the title. With regard to the group draw, Müller said: “At first glance, if you read the names of the opponents like that, it is of course a must to advance.”

Curacao is a blind spot for him. “With Ivory Coast we have the African champions and with Ecuador we have the second place in the South American qualifications. If you then look at the overall constellation again and see that the eight best third-placed teams from twelve groups also advance, then progress is once again a must.”