Viva's Power Rankings — No.5: Argentina, the defending champions, the wounded squad, and Messi's final chapter
Argentina are the defending World Cup champions. They have lost Foyth and potentially Romero to injury. Messi turns 39 during the tournament. They are fifth on this list — and still capable of winning the whole thing.
The defending champions arrive in North America with fewer certainties than they carried into Qatar. Juan Foyth gone entirely. Cristian Romero doubtful. Messi turning 39 three days before the first group match. The machine that won the World Cup in 2022 has been altered by time and injury in ways that Lionel Scaloni is managing carefully and publicly saying little about.
And yet. Argentina are fifth on this list — not outside the realistic contenders. Because the belief of world champions does not expire on a medical report. Because Lautaro Martínez is one of the best strikers in the world in 2026. Because Alexis Mac Allister has become one of the best midfielders in European football. Because Julián Álvarez is the definition of a tournament player.
The Messi question
He is 38 going on 39. He plays in MLS. These are facts. The other fact is that he was extraordinary in Qatar and that players of his specific quality — vision, touch, understanding of space — do not decline in the same way that physical players decline. There will be a version of Messi at this tournament that produces the moment nobody else could produce. The question is how many of those moments are available across seven matches in thirty days.
The defensive questions
Foyth gone, Romero doubtful — the defensive cover that made Argentina difficult to break down in 2022 is thinner in 2026. The high defensive line that Argentina use to suffocate opponents becomes a calculated risk when the players executing it are less well-suited to its demands. How Scaloni solves this problem will define whether Argentina's defence of their title ends in the group stage, the knockouts, or the final.
Manager: Lionel Scaloni | Key player: Lionel Messi
Group: Group J with Algeria, Austria, Jordan
"Defending champions with a wounded squad and a 38-year-old captain. Fifth on this list. Still capable of winning it. Lautaro, Mac Allister, Álvarez — the players around Messi are genuinely world class. If the defensive cover holds and Messi finds his moments, Argentina reach the final. I would not bet against them getting there."
Next in the Power Rankings
No.4 tomorrow — European champions. The youngest squad at the tournament. A 18-year-old who is arguably the best player in the world. Spain are coming — and they are built differently from any team here. Back to VivaSportsHQ →
