Lionel Messi Is Still the GOAT: World Cup Group J Best Player Rankings
We’re only a day away from the World Cup, as Mexico is putting the final touches in their preparation to open up the tournament for the second time ever against South Africa.
Last time, in 2010, South Africa were the hosts and drew with Mexico. This time around, Mexico, which is holding its third World Cup, will look to leave Thursday with a victory.
In Group J, though, Lionel Messi and Argentina will be hoping to repeat what they did in Qatar four years ago by being the first team since Brazil over 60 years ago to win back-to-back World Cup trophies.
Before the quartet of Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan begins, here are my picks as the best three players from Group B heading into the World Cup.
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3. Enzo Fernández (Argentina, Chelsea)
Four years ago, Fernández was one of the breakthrough stars on the World Cup stage, putting his name in lights following an excellent tournament in Qatar. He started out as an accessory for the Argentina team at the beginning of the tournament and ended up being one of the main reasons why they defeated France in the World Cup Final. After winning the World Cup, he broke transfer records by moving to Chelsea. And although it hasn’t always been the happiest marriage, Fernández is still one of the most revered creative midfield players in the world.
2. Julián Alvarez (Argentina, Atlético Madrid)
In a similar fashion to Fernández, Alvarez wasn’t expected to be a main character in Qatar all those years ago but transformed into a monster as the tournament went along. He scored a brace against Croatia in the World Cup semifinals and has only grown as a striker over the current cycle, with teams like Real Madrid trying their best to snag him from rival Atlético. If he has another big tournament across North America this summer, his value might start rivaling the true top players in the sport.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
Sorry, Jordan, Austria, and Algeria, it’s an all-Argentina podium in the group. And while I know Messi isn’t what he used to be and that through a 38-game campaign you might rather have the two youngsters below him in this ranking, we’re not talking about a marathon here. When Messi puts on the Argentina jersey and steps out onto the field, he elevates everyone around him, including Alvarez and Fernández. He is more than a simple talisman for Argentina; he is the sun that every single Argentine player, old and young, gravitates around.
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 9:51 PM.