Can Argentina defend their title? Messi might not be the biggest secret weapon

Many people think the biggest variable for Argentina in 2026 is whether Lionel Messi will play.
But those who truly understand football know—Argentina’s most formidable trait is “learning to not rely on Messi.”
That’s what makes them the most dangerous.
In 2022 when they won, Argentina was kind of like a “hot-blooded anime hero team.”
Everyone was going crazy with the “for Messi” buff.
But 2026 is different.
Now this Argentine team has formed a system.
They run in the front, squeeze in the midfield, stabilize in the back, and the goalkeeper is increasingly like “using cheat codes.”
Especially in a short tournament like the World Cup, Argentina is particularly suited.
Because they have a mysterious attribute:
The more they play, the more they resemble street fighting.
Others study tactics.
Argentina studies “how to make opponents’ emotions explode.”
You’ll find that many teams when facing Argentina, the game gradually turns into:
“Ref, look at him!”
“No, he pushed me first!”
“Where’s the yellow card?!”
In the end, the opponents break first.
Why does Polymarket still give Argentina a high probability?
The core reason is only four words:
Championship temperament continuation.
The most mysterious aspect of the World Cup is:
Once some teams break through their mental barriers, they can perform strongly for many years.
Like Spain and Germany in the past.
Argentina is now in this stage.
And South American teams are not unfamiliar with the North American environment.
Climate, time difference, language, and atmosphere are more comfortable than European teams.
Of course, problems also exist.
Argentina’s age structure is starting to age.
Especially if Messi really participates, there will be a huge controversy:
“Should we play Messi for sentimentality, or fully tool him?”
Because 40-year-old Messi might still be a genius.
But the World Cup is no longer a retirement league.
Interestingly—
The older Messi gets, the more opponents fear him.
Because everyone knows:
You can defend him for 90 minutes.
But he only needs 1 second.
That’s why Polymarket has never dared to underestimate Argentina.
After all, the market’s biggest fear isn’t strong teams.
It’s “strong teams that have won the World Cup.”
Because they know how to survive and make it to the end. #Polymarket每日热点