Batistuta: Argentina is in top form and they can reach the final again

The former Argentina striker shared his thoughts on the North American World Cup draw in an interview with TyC Sports. He also praised Lionel Messi and recalled an anecdote involving Marcelo Bielsa.

Gabriel Batistuta, the legendary Argentine striker with 55 goals for the Albiceleste, stated that Lionel Scaloni's team "is better than it was in Qatar" and expressed optimism ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, whose group stage draw will take place on Friday: "Right now, they're at their best. The guys know how they want to play and they're relaxed because they know what it's like to win. I'm convinced they'll reach the final again," he said in an interview with TyC Sports.

Batistuta stated that he "wouldn't know how to choose" a starter between Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez, explaining: "I love them both. It's a great problem for Scaloni, and I don't know how he'll make the choice. They both play, score goals, press, hold up the ball, and dribble. I don't see any difference. Furthermore, both are leaders on their respective teams and can single-handedly trouble the opposing defense. They could probably play together, but you'd have to ask them."

Then, he commented that he imagines the “usual Lionel Messi” and said: “The World Cup lasts a month and fills you with energy and desire. He can even prepare better than those in Europe because MLS is more relaxed. I see him at his peak.”

On another note, the former River Plate and Boca Juniors player recalled an anecdote with Marcelo Bielsa during his time at Newell's Old Boys: “I liked alfajores and ate them without guilt. I arrived at Newell's a bit overweight. I was 18 years old and weighed 89 kilos. Bielsa, who didn't like me, told me I was fat, which was true, and they put me on a diet. I went hungry, but I got down to 85 kilos, which is what I weighed for almost my entire career.”

Finally, the man born in Reconquista (Santa Fe) spoke about the illness that plagued his ankles for so long: “When the pandemic started, I had surgery in Switzerland. They put a prosthesis in each leg, and I’m doing very well: I smile, I can walk, and I live a normal life. That saved my life; today I enjoy myself, I play padel, even though I shouldn’t, and I play a lot of golf.”