DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP

‘The greatest football has ever witnessed’ – Ousmane Dembele believes Lionel Messi’s age is no barrier as he backs the Argentine legend to lead his nation to another World Cup title.

Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele has expressed full faith in his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, tipping the Argentine icon to inspire another victorious World Cup campaign for Argentina. Even though Messi has turned 38, the French forward maintains that his extraordinary talent and influence remain unmatched.

French star Dembele evaluates tournament favourites

Having recently celebrated his second UEFA Champions League triumph with Paris Saint-Germain, Ballon d’Or winner Dembele is now focused on leading France’s formidable attacking line. Ahead of Les Bleus’ opening fixture against Senegal on Tuesday, the dynamic winger discussed the competitive field. While recognising the expectations surrounding France after reaching the finals in the last two tournaments, Dembele specifically underlined the continued danger posed by reigning champions Argentina and their inspirational captain.

PSG standout praises timeless Messi

In a conversation with Marca about the leading contenders and whether a 38-year-old Messi could reproduce his spectacular Qatar 2022 performances, Dembele offered glowing praise for his former team-mate. He remarked: “Of course, he can win any trophy out there. I’ve already witnessed what he’s capable of during my time with him at Barcelona.”

When questioned about whether Messi’s age could affect his performance, Dembele replied with conviction: “That doesn’t matter at all. He’s the best I’ve ever seen, the best the sport has ever seen. He’s still a massive threat, even at 38. Age doesn’t take away his brilliance. We’ll need to stay alert because he’s more than capable of lifting the trophy again.”

Pressure mounts on the French squad

Dembele recognises the immense expectations on France as they aim for another deep run in the tournament, stressing the importance of total focus from his teammates during the early matches. He explained: “There are plenty of favourites. You know how it is – that tag doesn’t guarantee anything in football anymore.

“There are several teams entering the tournament as favourites. And since the French national team has reached the last two finals, we’ll naturally face a lot of scrutiny. But we’re staying committed to our goals. Before thinking about the knockout rounds, we must ensure we handle the group stage games properly.”

Powerhouses ready for key clashes

France begin their Group I campaign against Senegal, followed by a meeting with Iraq on June 22, and then conclude the group stage with a decisive encounter versus Norway four days later. Meanwhile, defending champions Argentina will commence their Group J journey against Algeria on June 17. Messi’s team will then face Austria and Jordan as both heavyweight sides navigate a demanding path in the expanded World Cup format.

How far can France progress in this World Cup?