'They gave the World Cup to Lionel Messi' - Ex-Man Utd star Patrice Evra makes huge claim about Argentina's 2022 win in Qatar

Messi, who played a pivotal role in Argentina’s campaign, scored seven goals and provided three assists, featuring in every match from the group stage to the final. The South American nation secured their third World Cup title after an intense final against France, which was settled by a dramatic penalty shootout following a thrilling 3-3 draw.

During a discussion with former PSG winger Jerome Rothen on RMC Sport, Evra did not hold back his thoughts on the 2022 tournament, stating: "Okay, we haven’t won anything since 2018, but we all know that in 2022, they gave the World Cup to Messi. It was all already written. Even the French wanted Messi to win it."

Following his World Cup success, Messi continued to make history, guiding Argentina to a second consecutive Copa America title. However, his performances in the 2024 edition in the United States hinted that the physical demands of top-level football over nearly two decades had begun to take a toll on the 36-year-old.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed that Messi has been left out of the squad for the upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay due to a low-grade adductor muscle injury. However, Argentina remain in a commanding position in the South American World Cup qualification standings as the reigning world champions currently lead the table by five points, putting them on course to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.