Verón: 39-year-old Messi still incredible; very optimistic about Argentina's current squad

Today, former Argentine football star Juan Sebastián Verón discussed Messi and other topics in an interview.

According to Argentina's Olé newspaper, Verón recently gave an interview to the publication.

When asked about 39-year-old Messi maintaining such a high standard, Verón said: "Football has changed, and modern care, medicine, and technology are completely different. Players no longer follow the same practices as before, and these advances allow them to extend their careers and maintain peak performance. You can see it with Messi, James Rodríguez, and Cristiano Ronaldo—players who, in the past, would have been unlikely to perform at a high level at this age. Messi's performance isn't surprising given his talent, but it's truly incredible to see him maintain this level at his age. Very few can do that."

When asked which player besides Messi impressed him most, Verón said: "Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández. Both maintain a very high standard at club and international level, which isn't easy. Messi's talent is amazing, but what impresses me about these two is the consistency and quality they sustain."

Asked if he would fit into the current Argentina squad, Verón said: "Yes, I think so. But I don't know—I played in a completely different era, less systematic than now. If I played in this era, maybe I could adapt, but I can't really imagine it."

Regarding Argentina's current state, Verón said: "I think it's very good. Honestly, I don't watch many matches. I came to Miami for other reasons, but I did watch some games, especially the first one. The team is very good. Of course, the World Cup still has to be won one game at a time, but the reality is I see continuity in the squad. It still needs to be tested by time and opponents, but I think the team is in excellent shape."

He also discussed Messi's impact: "The sports atmosphere Miami has had over the past three or four years is unmatched by other cities. Now, with Messi's arrival, there's been a football boom, but Miami also hosts Formula 1 races, high-level tennis events, and major American sports. It's an incredible hub for sports, culture, and entertainment."

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