'Anyone is better than Lionel Messi!' - Ex-Chile star claims Argentina captain was 'protected' at Copa America & World Cup in scathing attack

Messi's injury-enforced absence from Argentina's squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia has prompted a scathing attack from former midfielder Neira. He claims that the 37-year-old is no longer fully committed to his country at international, and says that even when he does play, Messi gets too much protection from the officials.

Speaking to Bolavip, Neira said: "If Messi no longer plays, the worst thing that can happen to us is that he is not a starter. Now someone else is going to play and anyone is better than Messi.

"If he was, he is no longer, it was seen in the Copa America, in the Qualifiers, he no longer has anything to do with the Argentine National Team. They [referees] helped Messi, they protected him, I wish they had protected Diego Maradona like that."

Messi has not been seen on the pitch since picking up an injury in the 2024 Copa America final that saw Argentina claim back-to-back crowns. The Inter Miami superstar will have seen close friend Luis Suarez's recent international retirement and it has been suggested he will soon take the same decision, having achieved everything on offer to him for La Albiceleste.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker is on the road to recovery, with Inter Miami hopeful he can return later this month and boost their MLS Cup aspirations. Regarding his future with Argentina, whether Messi plans to stick around for the 2026 World Cup remains unclear.