World Cup 2026: Obi Mikel, Ibrahimovic Praise Messi After Argentina’s Comeback Win Over Egypt

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has questioned Lionel Messi’s incredible stamina after the Argentina skipper inspired his side to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.

Messi put the holders back on level terms after they had clawed back a two-goal deficit in Tuesday’s last-16 clash. Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico had put Egypt in the driving seat but Cristian Romero and Enzo Fernandez completed the comeback.

“I still don’t understand how he can still produce decisive performances in a tournament that is physically and mentally demanding,” Mikel told Fox Sports after the match.

“Argentina are having another hard game, where they have been pushed to the limit. “How much Messi has played, how much has been taken out of him mentally, psychologically, physically as well,” Obi Mikel said.

“Again that’s going to be the question, how much can he give again to be able to drag this Argentina team once again to another semi-final.

“That’s going to be the question but when you have Messi I don’t know what the guy is eating. I don’t know what he eats, because every time you think it’s over, he comes up with something spectacular.”

Another ex-Sweden striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, also paid tribute to Messi but said the rest of the Argentina squad must take more responsibility as the tournament enters the business end.

Former AC Milan and Manchester United forward believes Argentina can’t keep relying on their captain if they are to retain the World Cup title.

“His [Messi’s] teammates need to step it up and also help him because he has been on another level, if I have to be a little bit critical,” Ibrahimovic said of Messi.

‘If he can carry on and take it all the way to the final and really take the final pieces. “We’ll be surprised but he needs help to be fair.

Argentina was reported to have booked a last-eight place against Switzerland at 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, with their comeback win.