Former Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has praised Lionel Messi following Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi once again played a key role as the defending champions secured a place in the quarter-finals after a closely contested encounter.
Speaking after the match, Obi Mikel expressed admiration for the Argentina captain’s ability to continue delivering outstanding performances despite the physical and mental demands of the tournament.
Former Super Eagles star questions Messi’s endurance
While analysing the match on Fox Sports, the former Super Eagles midfielder said he was amazed by Messi’s consistency at the highest level.
Obi Mikel questioned how much the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner still has left in the tournament, considering the workload he has carried for Argentina.
He noted that Messi continues to produce decisive moments whenever doubts emerge about his ability to influence matches.
Messi continues to inspire Argentina
According to Obi Mikel, Argentina have faced difficult tests during the competition, making Messi’s influence even more significant.
He wondered how the Inter Miami forward continues to perform at such a high standard, joking that he would like to know the secret behind the veteran’s remarkable fitness and resilience.
Argentina will now shift attention to the quarter-finals as Messi looks to guide the South American giants another step closer to retaining the World Cup title.