Gabriel Batistuta spoke about Argentina being one of the favorites at the 2026 World Cup.
Batistuta played in three FIFA World Cup’s with the Argentina national team, scoring 10 World Cup goals. Speaking in an interview with Ariel Senosiain of TyC Sports, Batistuta spoke about Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. Here is what he had to say:
“I think Argentina is one of the best teams around right now. We’ve just won the World Cup and the players know how to play. They’re relaxed and they know what it takes to win.
“Of course, there’s a lot of pressure to defend that title, but this group is capable. That’s the feeling I get.
“I don’t know why Argentina isn’t considered a contender; it’s as if they’re not even being taken into account. I’m sure and convinced that they’ll play in the final again. This group gives me a lot of confidence.”
Santiago Castro scored for Bologna in their 2-1 win against Parma.
Castro made it one goal in one match in the Coppa Italia and five goals in 16 matches for Bologna. With the score at 1-1, it was a cross into the penalty area which found Castro and the Argentine would head the ball and score to give Bologna the 2-1 lead.
Lionel Messi spoke with ESPN in Miami ahead of the World Cup 2026 draw. He talked about Argentina’s chances, his relationship with Lionel Scaloni, his past with Pep Guardiola, and personal memories from different stages of his life and career.
Messi said that the national team will try to compete for the title again. “It is a group that will try again, that will give everything and will compete. Then, through small details, you can be eliminated. A World Cup is very difficult. Any national team can create problems and can eliminate you.” He recalled how Argentina reached penalties against the Netherlands and France in 2022, saying: “We were superior in both matches, but we still went to penalties and we had Dibu Martínez, who made us win. But we could go to penalties and not win. It is very difficult to win a World Cup.”
He pointed out that several national teams will arrive with strong expectations: “There are very good national teams such as Spain, France, England, Brazil, Germany. National teams that want to be champions.” During the conversation, he also spoke about being part of the tournament: “I hope I can be there. I would like to be there. If not, I will be watching it in person, but it will be special.”
Messi reacted to an old video of Pep Guardiola praising him and described the impact the coach had on his development. “He is unique. There are very good coaches, but he has something different. For me he is the best… When it comes to seeing things, preparing matches, and transmitting ideas, he is complete.” He also remembered how Guardiola changed his role on the field: “I grew tactically with him… He put me as a false 9. In the youth academy I played behind the striker. I grew from there.”
Messi talked about his own competitive nature. “I am competitive. I like to win and try. We had bad stretches and difficult moments, but we always tried to get up… With time I value things more.” He shared memories from his early days in Rosario: “Seeing the Grandoli club and my origins moves me… They are good memories.” He added that he still enjoys playing with his children: “Now I juggle the ball with my kids… The ball always attracts me.”
He explained how he changed once he was on the field. “As a kid I was tough on the field. My personality changed when I entered the pitch. Off the field I was shy, but inside I transformed… I shouted, I wanted to win… It still happens today.”
Messi also spoke about Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes. “Paredes and De Paul are the players you want on your team but not as rivals. They are normal guys… Paredes made a big change at Boca since his arrival. Boca became strong at home and much of that is because of him.”
He talked about the MLS schedule and how it differs from Europe. “It is a reality that our season is different from Europe… This year I felt very good. I played many matches. MLS is very physical, with long trips and matches that break a lot and go back and forth. I hope next year is the same.”
Messi highlighted the work of Lionel Scaloni and how the coach shaped the team. “We have very good players… The desire and excitement are the same as when Scaloni started… New players keep coming, and they adapt quickly. Winning the last World Cup gives confidence.” He added: “Scaloni established an idea… The best thing he did is the closeness with the group… He speaks directly and says what he needs to say to each one.”
Messi described his daily life and his preference for simple routines. “I try to live without pretending. My circle is small… December and spending the holidays in Argentina is the best… I live a normal life.”
He closed by speaking about his family. “For me, family is the most important. They were always by my side. We had difficult moments… My family stayed in Argentina and watched everything… We are very close. I enjoy having them near.”
With two days remaining before the 2026 World Cup draw, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez shared his expectations for the tournament during “AFA as a Global Brand, The Power of a Brand,” an event organized by the AFA at Summit One in New York.
Speaking via video call from England, Martínez said the motivation to compete in another World Cup remains strong:
“Not only me—most players who have been to a World Cup feel that sensation in the stomach,” he said. “It’s hard to describe, but I’m more excited for this one than for the previous one.”
Martínez again underlined what representing Argentina means to him:
“Winning individual awards or titles with my club is like the cherry on top,” he said. “But the main part of my career has always been playing for the national team. When I play for Argentina, I feel the ball doesn’t go in. I have the whole country and my family behind me.”
The event was hosted by former Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea, who interviewed Martínez in front of more than 200 attendees connected to the sports industry.
Martínez also spoke about his physical level heading toward what could be his second World Cup:
“I have a privileged body; I can play again after two days,” he explained. “You have to play 60 matches as if there was no World Cup at the end of the season, because otherwise it’s difficult to perform at 100%.”
The goalkeeper is currently completing a solid season with Aston Villa, who sit fourth in the Premier League with 24 points. Villa have conceded 11 goals in 13 matches, the second-best defensive record in the competition, behind Arsenal.
Cristian Romero scored twice, one of which was a bicycle kick, for Tottenham Hotspur in their 2-2 draw against Newcastle.
Romero had both goals for Tottenham, a diving header and an overhead kick in their draw. With Newcastle leading 1-0, it was a cross into the penalty area which found Romero and he would score with a diving header to draw Tottenham Hotspur level.
Newcastle would take a 2-1 lead and the Argentine would score his second goal of the game.
