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Injured Messi Starts Opener, Targets Back-to-Back Title, Retirement

6/10/2026

30 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Lionel Messi hopes to overcome an injury and lead Argentina to become back-to-back World Cup champions since 1962.
Lionel Messi will start Argentina’s June 16 opener against Algeria, team’s first match.
Lionel Messi said his 3-0 win over Venezuela on September 4 was his last game, indicating retirement after World Cup.
Coach Lionel Scaloni aims to repeat his 2022 triumph, becoming the manager since Vittorio Pozzo to win consecutive World Cups.

History

Historical Context

In 1938 Italy, coached by Vittorio Pozzo, became the first nation to retain the FIFA World Cup, winning the final 4–2 over Hungary and completing a 30-match unbeaten run that began in 1935. Over eight decades later, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, with Lionel Messi, seeks the same back-to-back triumph in the 2024 tournament, echoing Pozzo’s historic feat.

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Story summary

Lionel Messi hopes to overcome an injury and lead Argentina to become back-to-back World Cup champions since 1962.
Lionel Messi will start Argentina’s June 16 opener against Algeria, team’s first match.
Lionel Messi said his 3-0 win over Venezuela on September 4 was his last game, indicating retirement after World Cup.
Coach Lionel Scaloni aims to repeat his 2022 triumph, becoming the manager since Vittorio Pozzo to win consecutive World Cups.

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