One Direction star mocks Messi at the 2026 World Cup: “He’s no longer fit enough”
Messi’s World Cup potential questioned by former One Direction member.
Just days before the 2026 World Cup begins, Lionel Messi is once again the center of attention. This time, the person making the comment about the Argentine superstar isn’t a player or football expert, but the famous singer Louis Tomlinson – a former member of the band One Direction.
In an interview with Billboard Argentina, Louis Tomlinson was asked about his prediction for the 2026 World Cup champion. The British singer didn’t hesitate to express his support for England: “England will win, obviously. Absolutely.”
When the reporter mentioned that this might be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup, Tomlinson continued with a striking statement: “Yes, this is Messi’s last World Cup. I don’t think he has the fitness to continue playing in this tournament anymore.”
Louis Tomlinson doubts Messi’s fitness for the 2026 World Cup.
Tomlinson’s statement quickly went viral on social media. Some fans agreed that the 2026 World Cup is almost certainly Messi’s last appearance at the biggest football tournament on the planet. However, many Argentinian fans believe the singer’s comment is disrespectful to one of the greatest players in history.
In reality, at 38, Messi is still demonstrating remarkable ability to maintain his form. Although he no longer possesses the speed and physical fitness of his peak, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains the heart of the Argentinian team’s play thanks to his tactical vision, creative abilities, and ability to make game-changing plays.
The 2026 World Cup will be Messi’s sixth appearance at the most prestigious tournament on the planet. After fulfilling his dream of winning the championship in Qatar in 2022, Messi no longer feels the pressure to prove anything to the football world. However, his presence at the 2026 World Cup still holds special significance for millions of fans.
For many, this could be their last chance to see Messi play on the World Cup stage – where he spent nearly two decades writing one of the greatest careers in football history.
