Enzo Fernández reveals the shock of playing with Lionel Messi for the first time

With the 2026 World Cup drawing ever-closer, Enzo Fernández will be one of Argentina’s leaders as La Albiceleste look to defend their title.

The 2022 triumph in Qatar was a breakthrough for Fernández, who blossomed from a promising young midfielder into one of the world’s most coveted talents. In an interview with GiveMeSport, the Chelsea midfielder reflected on his rapid rise in the past three years and what awaits the world champions next summer.

For Fernández, the 2022 World Cup was an incredible period in his young career: “It meant a lot to me. It was my first World Cup, and being able to play in it and win it made me incredibly happy.”

“As a team, it was something Argentina hadn’t achieved in many years, and I’m excited for what’s coming. Hopefully luck is on our side in the draw.”

Enzo Fernández on playing with Messi

Fernández didn’t hide how special it was to share the field with Lionel Messi, the player he grew up idolizing. He explained: “The motivation was huge because I watched Leo on TV my whole life. Winning a World Cup with him was incredible, something I’ll carry forever.”

“Leo had been chasing that trophy for so many years. It was a great honor to win it with him, because it was the only thing missing in his career.”

“It was a shock. He’s always been my idol and I dreamed of playing with him,” Fernández said. “Over time, I got to know him better and things felt more normal, but he’s still the greatest of all time. Sharing a locker room with him is a privilege I try to enjoy every day.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Fernández says the squad knows the expectations. “We’re going to try to defend it; we’re going to try to win it again. That’s what the national team demands,” he said. “Argentinians are very passionate and we always want more. We’re going in with the mentality that defending a world title requires.”

He also acknowledged the possibility that it could be Messi’s final World Cup: “We know it could be Leo’s last, and the group will be there to protect the star we earned in Qatar.”

The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place Friday, December 5, when Argentina and the rest of the field will learn their paths for the expanded tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada.