Former Argentina manager Jose Pekerman, who oversaw Lionel Messi's FIFA World Cup debut in 2006, has lauded the legendary forward for his record-breaking achievements and for maintaining his humility throughout his career. Pekerman, now 76, spoke to Reuters ahead of Argentina's round of 16 match against Egypt on July 7.
Messi's Record-Breaking World Cup 2026
Messi, now 39, has shattered multiple records at the 2026 World Cup. He became the all-time leading FIFA World Cup scorer with 20 goals, the first player to score in eight consecutive World Cup matches, and the player with the most assists in World Cup history. The tournament began with his first-ever World Cup hat-trick against Algeria.
Pekerman reflected on Messi's debut in 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro, when he sent an 18-year-old Messi onto the pitch in the 75th minute with Argentina leading 4-0. Messi scored minutes later, becoming the youngest Argentine to score a World Cup goal. “For me, every minute was important, because I had no doubt that over the next 10 years he would be fighting to be one of the best players in the world,” Pekerman said. He added, “It was important for him to get used to a more professional, more demanding level of soccer, to let his talent grow along with his experience.”
Pekerman Compares Messi to Maradona
Pekerman compared Messi's game intelligence to that of the late Diego Maradona, noting that both possessed exceptional understanding of the game at a young age. “It was the same as had happened with Maradona. Something that went beyond his age. The intelligence he had to understand soccer and master different situations, despite being so young,” he said.
Pekerman, who now enjoys watching Messi's journey as Argentina's oldest goal-scorer, said, “It is a beautiful story, and I enjoy it very much. He was obviously going to be a tremendous talent. We can't talk about discovering something, because it was so evident.”
Messi's Humility and Legacy
Despite his records and trophies, Messi is known for his humble demeanor. Pekerman hailed him as a “true role model.” “The records he is setting will be very difficult to break. It is not easy to stay at that level for so long, always finding new goals to achieve. And he has done it without losing his essence as a person. I think the decisions he has made throughout his career have always been the right ones,” Pekerman concluded.
