PSG fans surprised by Messi's warning to Mbappe

Lionel Messi has said Argentina do not fear any team at the World Cup but urged fans to stay calm with the tournament in Qatar less than a month away. Copa America champions Argentina are unbeaten in 35 games since 2019 and have been drawn with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C as they look to win their first World Cup title since 1986.

"Today we are doing well and people are excited and think that we will come back with the Cup, but it is not like that," warned Messi. “The World Cup is very difficult, many things have to happen, and there are many teams that want the same as us and that are doing well,” he cautioned. "We are eager, we are going to fight, we are not afraid of anyone," he encouraged.

More related stories:

He fought with Lionel Messi, he failed in Argentina, now he gets karma in Europe

A few days before the World Cup, the terrible news that reaches Messi and Mbappe

Messi has also said that defending champions France and fellow South American side Brazil are his favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar. Perhaps that is because PSG teammates Mbappe and Neymar star respectively for each team. Aside from the two countries mentioned, European giants such as Spain and Germany always pose a threat. 

Argentina began their 2018 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iceland,  where Messi missed a penalty, and finished second in their group before being knocked out by eventual winners France in the last 16. Messi thinks the opening match against Saudi Arabia on 22 November will be key to the team's chances.

2018 vs 2022

"In the first minutes of the first game the nerves and anxiety are difficult to control…starting with a win gives you peace of mind. Last World Cup, we started with a draw and I've always said that if I had scored the penalty and we had won it we would have changed the whole story," he conceded. Argentina play their final warm-up match against the United Arab Emirates on 16 November.