A few months before the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi made an interesting claim about the level of the national teams of the first two countries.
Messi, 38, has already started his third season in MLS and has a clear sense of the soccer level in both the United States and Mexico, due to his participation in the Leagues Cup and the Concacaf Champions Cup.
In a recent interview with Nahuel Guzman on "Miro de Atras," Messi spoke about the levels of Mexico and the United States, and the Argentine star does not consider the difference to be great.
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
USMNT and Mexico at 'Same Level' Before World Cup 2026, Lionel Messi Says
"I think today the United States and Mexico are also very even," Messi said. "The United States national team in recent World Cups also did a great job."
The Barcelona legend also briefly addressed Mexican clubs playing in the U.S., acknowledging that MLS has grown and stands up to Liga MX.
"And I think MLS teams have grown a lot, and when the Mexican team comes to play here, they struggle, they struggle," the Argentine noted, before acknowledging that it represents an advantage for American clubs not having to travel to Mexico in the Leagues Cup.
"But I also heard the Turco [Antonio Mohamed, head coach of Toluca] talking again after he lost in the League Cup. And it's true, the fact that the MLS team goes to Mexico… It's also an advantage for Mexicans to play at home and, well, in some places you have altitude."