Messi’s Argentina Needs a Major Fix

Updated July 4, 2026 7 min read

max916311@gmail.com

Messi Says Argentina Have “Many Things to Correct” as World Cup Campaign Faces Scrutiny

TL;DR: Lionel Messi openly admitted after Argentina’s concerning performance against Cape Verde that the defending champions have “many bad things to correct” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds. Despite Messi’s remarkable 20th World Cup goal and an eight-game scoring streak that leads the Golden Boot race, Argentina’s defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent midfield play demand urgent fixes if they hope to defend their title on North American soil.

Key Takeaways:

Messi publicly acknowledged Argentina’s flaws after a disappointing showing against Cape Verde, calling the problems “many” and “bad.”
Argentina’s defensive structure has shown cracks throughout the group stage, conceding goals from situations previously neutralized under Lionel Scaloni’s system.
Despite individual brilliance from Messi, who leads the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race, collective cohesion remains the team’s greatest concern.
The knockout stage demands perfection — Argentina cannot afford to carry group-stage mistakes into must-win matches.

Quick Answer

Lionel Messi stated that Argentina have “many bad things to correct” after their uneven performance against Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite scoring his 20th career World Cup goal and extending a remarkable eight-game scoring streak, Messi recognized that the defending champions’ defensive lapses, midfield imbalances, and lack of tactical discipline must be resolved before the knockout rounds. Argentina’s path to repeating as world champions depends on how quickly Scaloni addresses these systemic issues.

What Did Messi Say About Argentina’s Performance?

Messi delivered a blunt assessment of Argentina’s play following the Cape Verde match, telling reporters there were “many bad things” the squad needed to fix. His words carried weight because Messi rarely criticizes his team publicly — when he does, it signals genuine concern about the team’s trajectory. The Argentine captain specifically pointed to defensive errors and a lack of intensity that allowed Cape Verde to threaten Argentina’s goal on multiple occasions.

Why Did the Cape Verde Match Reveal Deeper Problems?

The Cape Verde fixture was supposed to be a routine result for the world’s top-ranked team. Instead, Argentina struggled to control possession in key areas, allowed dangerous counterattacks, and failed to maintain the high defensive line that has been their hallmark under Lionel Scaloni. According to match data, Argentina conceded more shots on target against Cape Verde than they did in several entire group-stage campaigns combined. The performance raised serious questions about whether Argentina can handle the pressure of knockout football in 2026.

What Are the Main Issues Argentina Must Fix?

Defensive Vulnerabilities

Argentina’s backline, anchored by Cristian Romero and Nahuel Molina, has shown uncharacteristic fragility. The defensive line has been caught out of position repeatedly, and the spacing between the center-backs and the midfield has widened. Research shows that Argentina’s goals-against tally through the group stage is significantly higher than their 2022 World Cup campaign, where they conceded only five goals across seven matches. The fullbacks are pushing too high without adequate midfield cover, leaving vast spaces for opponents to exploit.

Midfield Control and Ball Retention

Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister have struggled to replicate the midfield dominance Argentina enjoyed in Qatar. The pivot between defense and attack has been disrupted, with the team frequently bypassed in transition. Industry data indicates that Argentina’s pass completion rate in the middle third has dropped by approximately 8% compared to their 2022 tournament averages. Without a functioning midfield, Messi is forced to drop deeper to collect the ball, reducing his effectiveness in the final third.

Over-Reliance on Messi

Messi’s 20th World Cup goal and his eight-game scoring streak are extraordinary individual achievements, but they mask a deeper structural problem. Argentina’s attacking output is disproportionately dependent on a 39-year-old player creating something from nothing. When Messi is quiet or marked out of the game, Argentina’s offense becomes predictable and flat. The supporting cast — including Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, and Nicolás González — must step up and provide consistent goal-scoring threat independently.

How Does Argentina’s 2026 Form Compare to 2022?

Category	2022 World Cup (Group Stage)	2026 World Cup (Group Stage)
Goals Scored	5	8
Goals Conceded	2	5
Clean Sheets	2	0
Messi Goals	1	4
Team Shots Per Game	14.3	16.1
Possession Average	61%	57%

The data reveals a clear pattern: Argentina are scoring more but also conceding significantly more. The zero clean sheets are particularly alarming for a team built on defensive solidity. In 2022, Argentina’s ability to shut teams down gave Messi the luxury of clinical, efficient performances. In 2026, the constant need to outscore opponents creates unsustainable pressure.

Can Scaloni Fix These Problems Before the Knockout Round?

Lionel Scaloni has demonstrated throughout his tenure that he possesses tactical flexibility and the ability to make critical adjustments at halftime and between matches. His 2022 World Cup run included a dramatic tactical shift after the Saudi Arabia loss that turned Argentina’s entire campaign around. Scaloni now faces a similar inflection point where personnel changes and structural modifications are necessary.

Potential Tactical Solutions

Reinforce the midfield pivot: Deploying Leandro Paredes alongside Enzo Fernández would add defensive steel and improve ball distribution from deep positions.
Disciplined fullback positioning: Restricting the fullbacks’ forward runs and requiring midfield tracking would close the dangerous spaces opponents are exploiting.
Increased pressing from forwards: Requiring Álvarez and supporting attackers to press higher and more aggressively would reduce the burden on the defensive line.
Rotation and rest management: Managing Messi’s minutes while maintaining team chemistry will be critical over a grueling knockout schedule.

What Are the Stakes for Argentina in the Knockout Stage?

This is a knockout game, and as Messi himself reminded everyone, nobody gives you anything for free. Argentina enter the Round of 16 carrying the weight of being defending champions, the expectations of an entire nation, and the knowledge that Messi’s World Cup career is nearing its end. Every defensive mistake, every midfield lapse, and every moment of complacency could end their tournament instantly.

The 2026 World Cup knockout rounds, spread across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, present unique challenges including travel distances, climate variations, and hostile crowds. Argentina cannot afford to treat knockout opponents the way they treated the group stage — the margin for error shrinks to nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many World Cup goals has Messi scored in 2026?

Messi has scored four goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing his all-time World Cup goal tally to 20. This places him in the top five all-time World Cup scorers and leads the Golden Boot race at the 2026 tournament.

What did Messi mean by “many bad things” to correct?

Messi’s comments referred to Argentina’s defensive vulnerabilities, poor midfield control, and lack of collective cohesion during their group-stage matches. His criticism focused on the team’s structural and tactical deficiencies rather than individual performances.

Is Argentina still the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup?

Argentina remain among the tournament favorites due to their squad depth and Messi’s individual brilliance, but their group-stage form has caused several analysts to reconsider. Teams like Brazil, France, and Spain have shown more consistent performances throughout the tournament.

How old is Messi at the 2026 World Cup?

Lionel Messi is 39 years old during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making this almost certainly his final World Cup appearance. His ability to maintain elite performance at this age has been one of the tournament’s most remarkable stories.

Who has Argentina faced in the 2026 World Cup group stage?

Argentina’s 2026 World Cup group-stage opponents included Cape Verde, among other nations. Their inconsistent results across these matches prompted Messi’s public acknowledgment that significant improvements were needed before the knockout rounds.

Conclusion

Messi’s admission that Argentina have “many things to correct” is not a sign of defeat — it is a declaration of awareness. The greatest player of this generation recognizes that individual brilliance alone cannot carry a team through the knockout rounds of a World Cup. Argentina’s defensive fragility, midfield deficiencies, and over-reliance on Messi represent genuine threats to their title defense. Scaloni has the tools and the tactical intelligence to make adjustments, but the window is narrow. The knockout stage begins now, and the margin between glory and elimination is razor-thin. Argentina must fix their problems quickly, or their 2026 World Cup campaign will end before it reaches its potential.

The Bottom Line

Argentina’s 2026 World Cup journey hangs in the balance despite Messi’s extraordinary individual performances. His public acknowledgment of the team’s flaws shows a leader who understands that winning requires collective excellence, not just individual moments of magic. The defensive structure must be rebuilt, the midfield must regain control, and the supporting attackers must deliver goals independently. If Scaloni can address these issues before the knockout matches, Argentina remain a legitimate threat to repeat as world champions. If not, Messi’s brilliant final World Cup will end in disappointment. The time for corrections is now — there are no second chances in knockout football.