Former Argentine striker Mario Alberto Kempes said Lionel Messi is currently experiencing a “second youth” in his professional career [1, 2].
The assessment comes as Argentina navigates its current World Cup cycle. Because Messi is the central figure of the national team, his physical and technical state determines the squad's tactical ceiling and overall competitiveness on the global stage.
Kempes said that Messi is performing at a level comparable to the earlier stages of his career [1, 2]. This resurgence in form is a critical component of the team's current success, according to the former striker [1, 2].
Beyond the individual performance of the captain, Kempes pointed to the general vigor and energy of the current Argentine squad as a primary virtue [1]. He said that the balance of the team allows for a flexible attacking structure, one that can accommodate multiple forwards alongside Messi [3].
Kempes believes the team's current trajectory is positive. He said that Argentina's ability to integrate young energy with Messi's renewed form creates a formidable challenge for opposing defenses [1, 2].
The comments reflect a broader confidence in the national team's ability to maintain its dominance. By linking Messi's current state to his youth, Kempes suggests that the veteran player has overcome the typical physical decline associated with his age [1, 2].
“Messi is experiencing a “second youth,” performing at a level comparable to his earlier career”
The endorsement from a World Cup winner like Kempes provides psychological momentum for the Argentine squad. By framing Messi's current form as a return to his youthful peak, it counters narratives regarding the player's age and suggests that the team's tactical reliance on him remains a viable strategy for the 2026 tournament.
