Ousmane Dembele has warned that Lionel Messi remains a major threat at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even as France look to match their runs to the final at the last two tournaments and push for the title again this summer.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger and current Ballon d'Or winner, who played alongside Messi for four seasons at Barcelona from 2017 to 2021 was asked whether Messi could win another World Cup. Dembele said Messi can still win every trophy possible and pushed back against doubts tied to his age.
Of course, he can win every trophy possible. I already saw it in Barcelona.
That changes nothing… He is the best I have ever seen, the best the game has ever seen. He is still dangerous.
It's difficult to stop him even at 38 years old. He may be that age, but he will always have those qualities. We'll have to be careful with him because he is capable of winning again.
Dembele faced Messi in the Qatar 2022 final, where Argentina beat France on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
On France's own outlook, Dembele said the squad arrives with high expectations after reaching the final at each of the last two World Cups, but stressed the need to handle group-stage matches before looking ahead to the Round of 16 or quarterfinals.
We know that the French national team has reached the final in each of the last two editions. So we'll be a team with high expectations.
But we remain focused on the objective. Before thinking about reaching the Round of 16 or the quarterfinals, you first have to get through the group-stage matches.
Dembele also praised Spain, who many view as another leading favorite after winning the European Championship.
They are an exceptional team collectively and have very good players… They have been playing this way for years and years, with players of the highest level.
In Spain, possession is something that comes naturally to them.
He said the title race will not come down to only France and Spain, naming five other national teams he considers serious contenders alongside his own side.
- Argentina, the reigning world champions
Dembele added that France must also stay alert to teams considered less likely to win.
