Can Messi win the World Cup? Argentina route to Qatar 2022 final

George Priestman

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Can Messi win the World Cup? Argentina route to Qatar 2022 final image

Lionel Messi has competed at four World Cups so far in his career, and heads into Qatar 2022 hoping to add to Argentina's two triumphs. 

They came so close back in 2014, as they lost out to Germany in the final by a late winner from Mario Gotze, ultimately making Messi's heroics throughout the tournament in vain.

With Argentina fresh off winning the Copa America, perhaps La Albiceleste are genuine contenders for the crown in what is Lionel Messi's final World Cup.

If they are to win for the first time since 1986, expect star man Messi to play an integral part, but can he lead his side to World Cup glory? 

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Argentina World Cup 2022 Schedule: Group C

Date Match Time (ET) Stadium
Tues, Nov. 22 Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia 5 a.m. Lusail Stadium
Sat, Nov. 26 Argentina vs. Mexico 2 p.m. Lusail Stadium
Wed, Nov. 30 Poland vs. Argentina 2 p.m. Stadium 974

Drawn into Group C, Argentina started as strong candidates to advance given Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia are their opponents. 

Poland and Mexico will offer tough tests, as both boast players from the top five European leagues and both have performed well in recent times. It will also see two of the world's best face each other as Robert Lewandowski takes on Messi in a battle of two elite goal-scorers on the biggest stage. 

Argentina should emerge as group winners, given their talent and the fact they can rely on world-class players such as Messi and Angel Di Maria. 

Argentina World Cup 2022 potential knockout draw

If they qualify for the knockout round as group winners, Argentina would face the runners-up of Group D, which features France and Denmark. If they finish second, it would most likely be France they face in the last 16.

If they come through the Round of 16, they would receive a manageable quarterfinal draw. This time it would be either the winners of Group A or the runners-up from Group B. 

Most likely to win Group A would be the Netherlands, who would be fancied to beat the runners-up of Group B, which could be the USA.

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If Argentina wins that, they would most likely face the winner of Spain/Germany or Brazil in the semifinals, which would certainly be an intriguing prospect.

They could then face any of England, Portugal, France or Belgium in the final (if they all win their expected games)

The 'best' run, for neutral fans, could see them face Denmark (Round of 16), Netherlands (quarterfinals), Brazil (semifinals), and either England, Portugal, France or Belgium in the final. We're holding out for that Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi final, of course.

Messi record at the World Cup

Messi has always had the most intense spotlight shone on him at World Cup finals, which he usually relishes, while his teammates often appear to be the opposite on the very biggest stage. 

Messi carried them to the final in 2014, being awarded the player of the tournament in Brazil, but it was only a bitter consolation as his side were edged out in extra time by Germany. 

He has featured in four World Cups and this will be his fifth (and he has confirmed his last), which will see him become the first Argentinian player to do so, moving past Javier Mascherano and Diego Maradona. 

Scoring at every World Cup except South Africa 2010, he's netted six goals and provided five assists in 19 finals appearances heading into Qatar.

George Priestman