Lionel Messi's numbers do not do justice to his genius - but second World Cup will
This opinion piece from Mirror Football's chief sports writer Andy Dunn analyzes Lionel Messi's performance in the 2026 World Cup, where he has scored 8 goals and created numerous chances, leading Argentina to the final against Spain. The article criticizes FIFA President Gianni Infantino for praising Donald Trump's role in the tournament's success, calling their relationship a 'puppeteer and puppet' dynamic. It notes the 48-team format was more successful than expected, though criticizes high costs, the banning of a Somalian referee, poor treatment of Iran's team, and Trump's intervention in Folarin Balogun's suspension. The piece argues that Messi, at age 39, is redefining his greatness and that a second consecutive World Cup win would cement his legacy, despite the unpalatable prospect of Infantino and Trump sharing the stage with him.
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