Graeme Souness says Argentina star Lionel Messi could ‘single-handedly’ carry them to glory in Qatar

Graeme Souness says Lionel Messi can single-handedly carry Argentina to glory at the World Cup.

The World Cup is the only trophy missing from Messi’s incredible career, with Qatar expected to be his final chance to win football’s grandest prize. 

Souness ahead of Argentina’s opener against Saudi Arabia, described the South American nation as one of the two favourites, and that England are ‘not far behind’ after their impressive 6-2 win over Iran on Monday. 

Souness told ITV Sport: ‘Argentina are favourites for me along with Brazil. 

‘They have to come into the argument but England aren’t far behind them. 

‘I think if we see a version of Messi from seven or eight years ago he could single-handedly carry them to the tournament. 

‘Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, maybe the best player I’ve ever seen kick a ball. I think we should treasure these moments. So they are definitely in the argument.’

Souness continued his praise for the Paris Saint-Germain star by claiming that no one has gotten him off his seat more in his lifetime.

Souness says England are not far behind Brazil and Argentina as favourites for the World Cup

He also said that at his fifth World Cup, this is the strongest Argentina team he has played in.  

He said: ‘I think this is his strongest team he’s played with in the World Cup.

‘It’s such a special event the World Cup you have to expect he’ll turn up. He’s not had a great couple of seasons of late. He’s arguably the greatest player ever – I think Ronaldo is a little bit behind Messi. 

‘It’s because of the longevity – he’s done it for such a long time at the very very top. 

Messi took just ten minutes to get his World Cup account off the mark with a penalty

Souness believes that this is the strongest Argentina World Cup squad involving Messi

‘I personally could talk about Messi all day long – he’s such a unique talent. There’s nothing about him to dislike. He works his socks off, he can create, score goals – he gets me off my seat like no other player in my lifetime watching football.’

It took Messi just ten minutes to get on the score-sheet after he calmly slotted a penalty into the back of the net to open the scoring against Saudi Arabia.

Souness, a former Liverpool and Scotland player, was impressed by England’s performance on Monday.

Goals from Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish ensured a comfortable 6-2 win in their opener.