“What he does with a football is scary” - After Mbappe, Haaland, Kane and Messi shine at 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kyle Walker picks best player

× Kyle Walker waxed lyrical about Lionel Messi as he chose the Argentine skipper over other top forwards at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He hailed the 38-year-old for his achievements in football and lauded his quality. Ad The 2026 FIFA World Cup has lived up to the billing when it comes to goals, with the top forwards hitting the ground running during the first round of group stage matches.

Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria, while Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe all got a brace in their respective opening games. During a session with talkSPORTS, Walker noted that he has played with or against all the aforementioned forwards. When quizzed about the best of the lots, he replied: Ad Trending "Messi by far.

What he does with a football is scary; it shouldn't really happen. I think people seem to write him off all the time, or he's getting a little bit too old. Is this probably going to be the last World Cup?

But to do what he's done and if they retain the World Cup, what a dream that will be for him to go with." Ad "I hope he doesn't because I hope England wins. But for what that man has done in football, It's truly remarkable," he added.

Walker has played against Lionel Messi twice. The duo faced off when Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) clashed in the group stage of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League. PSG won 2-0 at the Parc des Princes, while City took the return leg 2-1 at the Etihad.

Ad Lionel Messi chasing unprecedented FIFA World Cup feat in last dance with Argentina Argentine superstar Lionel Messi is on course to set a major FIFA World Cup record following his brilliant start to the ongoing competition. The 38-year-old guided La Albiceleste to a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria, scoring all three goals as they commenced their title defence. Ad Four years ago, he single-handedly guided Argentina to the trophy, recording 10 goal involvements (7G, 3A).

Should he lead Lionel Scaloni's side all the way to glory again, he will become the first captain to win consecutive FIFA World Cups.Only two teams have won the quadrennial tournament back-to-back - Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962). However, they triumphed with a different captain on both occasions.

× Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Okenna Okere Kyle Walker waxed lyrical about Lionel Messi as he chose the Argentine skipper over other top forwards at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He hailed the 38-year-old for his achievements in football and lauded his quality.

Ad The 2026 FIFA World Cup has lived up to the billing when it comes to goals, with the top forwards hitting the ground running during the first round of group stage matches. Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria, while Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe all got a brace in their respective opening games. During a session with talkSPORTS, Walker noted that he has played with or against all the aforementioned forwards.

When quizzed about the best of the lots, he replied: Ad Trending "Messi by far. What he does with a football is scary; it shouldn't really happen. I think people seem to write him off all the time, or he's getting a little bit too old.

Is this probably going to be the last World Cup? But to do what he's done and if they retain the World Cup, what a dream that will be for him to go with." Ad "I hope he doesn't because I hope England wins.

But for what that man has done in football, It's truly remarkable," he added. Walker has played against Lionel Messi twice. The duo faced off when Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) clashed in the group stage of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League.

PSG won 2-0 at the Parc des Princes, while City took the return leg 2-1 at the Etihad. Ad Lionel Messi chasing unprecedented FIFA World Cup feat in last dance with Argentina Argentine superstar Lionel Messi is on course to set a major FIFA World Cup record following his brilliant start to the ongoing competition. The 38-year-old guided La Albiceleste to a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria, scoring all three goals as they commenced their title defence.

Ad Four years ago, he single-handedly guided Argentina to the trophy, recording 10 goal involvements (7G, 3A). Should he lead Lionel Scaloni's side all the way to glory again, he will become the first captain to win consecutive FIFA World Cups.Only two teams have won the quadrennial tournament back-to-back - Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962).

However, they triumphed with a different captain on both occasions. × Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Okenna Okere × Was this article helpful?

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