Kenny Cunningham Doubles Down On Bizarre Lionel Messi World Cup Take

Lionel Messi has spent this World Cup rewriting the record books.

The Argentina captain has scored eight goals, provided two assists, become the leading goalscorer in World Cup history after overtaking Miroslav Klose and now also holds the record for the most assists in the competition’s history.

Most importantly, the 39-year-old has inspired Argentina into another World Cup semi-final, helping drag them back from 2-0 down against Egypt in the last 16 before setting up Alexis Mac Allister’s opener with a pinpoint corner as they defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals.

Yet none of that has changed Kenny Cunningham’s mind.

Kenny Cunningham Doubles Down On Bizarre Lionel Messi World Cup Take

Speaking on RTÉ before kick-off, the former Republic of Ireland defender doubled down on comments he made before the tournament that Messi should have retired after lifting the World Cup in 2022.

Starting to wonder if Kenny Cunningham is a psyoppic.twitter.com/IZiZSVBKRU

— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 12, 2026

Now I’m going to double down on what I said.

I wish he had retired after that World Cup.

Kenny Cunningham made clear he still considers Lionel Messi among the greatest players the game has ever seen.

I’m a huge Lionel Messi fan, the best player of his generation.

The second greatest Argentinian player of all time.

He also praised Messi’s role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph four years ago.

I think what he did four years previously with Argentina, carrying that group of players on his back to a World Cup win, was exceptional.

However, Cunningham believes the current version of Messi is a shadow of the player who conquered the world in 2022.

I think that Lionel Messi exists in the past.

The present-day Lionel Messi, which we’ve seen at this tournament, has shown the physical frailties of a 39-year-old.

And that, for me, is a tough one to take.

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His comments prompted a pointed response from presenter Tony O’Donoghue, who questioned how Cunningham could be so critical after admitting he had not watched Argentina’s matches live.

“If you haven’t watched them live, how can you say that?” O’Donoghue asked.

Cunningham argued that while Messi continues to produce moments of brilliance, he no longer influences games over the full 90 minutes.

He’s certainly had moments.

But when I look at the game, Tony, I don’t concentrate on the moments.

I look at the game in the round.

He even described Messi’s display against Egypt as the worst he had ever seen from the Argentine.

That’s the worst performance I’ve ever seen from Lionel Messi in a game of football – and by a long way.

Nothing was sticking.

The ball was bouncing off him.

I’ve never seen his first touch let him down.

Cunningham acknowledged that Messi still possesses the technique to punish opponents in isolated moments.

But he insisted those flashes are no longer enough to convince him Argentina can win another World Cup.

I don’t think he’s operating at that level anymore.

It’s a difficult one for me to stomach.

Cunningham later returned to the subject, arguing Messi had already begun declining by the time Argentina won the World Cup in 2022.

He also questioned the standard of club football Messi has been playing.

He’s playing no competitive club football.

He’s been put out to stud in the US Soccer League.

I can’t make an argument that he’s as influential in this team.

For now, however, Lionel Messi continues to produce when it matters most.

The Argentine has eight goals, two assists and two missed penalties to his name at this World Cup, while his corner for Alexis Mac Allister helped send the reigning champions into a semi-final against England.

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