Lionel Messi is two wins away from adding a second World Cup to his extensive trophy cabinet, but the greatest footballer of all time wouldn’t be eligible to play for Argentina if he were just emerging in 2026.

The Inter Miami superstar has been on fire this summer, registering eight goals and two assists on the way to a semi-final showdown with England. Messi was instrumental to his country’s success in 2022, and he’ll be the main man if they go back-to-back.

But just imagine what the international scene would be like if he was denied the chance to pull on the blue and white stripes. Would Argentina now be three-time world champions? We’ll never know, but it’s extremely unlikely.

Argentina Rule Would’ve Ruled Out Lionel Messi

Agustin Marcarian via Reuters

At 39 years old, Messi has been a vital part of La Albiceleste’s side for two decades. But under new guidelines that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced in February, his international career never would’ve begun.

As everyone knows, the diminutive playmaker started his senior career with Barcelona in Spain after leaving his homeland as a 13-year-old in 2000. This would be a stumbling block for any player looking to follow a similar pathway in future.

The AFA now prohibit players from being called up to represent the national team if they move to a club abroad without signing a professional contract in their home country first.

This would mean players must stay until they are at least 16 years old and is designed to protect Argentine clubs. Youth players leaving before turning pro means that clubs only receive a development fee, rather than a transfer fee.

Javier Mendez Cartier, director of the AFA’s youth team, said: “By decision of our President and his Executive Committee, this AFA administration always seeks to defend the interests of the clubs that develop players. Anyone who does not understand this and chooses to use parental rights to emigrate will not be called up to any youth national team.”

Messi Wouldn’t Be the Only One Impacted

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It has been ‘unanimously decided’ to ban these players by the AFA. Messi leaving Newell’s Old Boys at 13 for Barcelona’s La Masia academy would rule him out of contention.

But he wouldn’t be the only one. Emi Martinez departed the youth ranks at Independiente to join Premier League giants Arsenal in 2010. Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano, joined his dad’s club after spending his youth days at River Plate.

Lucas Scarlato’s move from River to Serie A side Parma before going professional was the catalyst for the new rule finally being implemented, according to TyC Sports.

The ‘real reason’ why Conor McGregor injured himself just seconds into his comeback bout with Max Holloway at UFC 329 has been revealed.

McGregor returned to the Octagon for the first time in five years at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. His previous appearance saw him suffer a broken leg as he lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

As part of his rehabilitation from that injury, Conor was open about having used steroids to help him regain full strength and function in the limb. He even temporarily withdrew from the UFC drug testing pool in order to allow himself to do so without consequences.

Heading into Saturday night’s contest, McGregor repeatedly insisted that he was back to full health, promising his fans a vintage performance as he excitedly declared: “The Mac is back!”

Conor McGregor’s Injury at UFC 329

However, the 37-year-old failed to land a single strike in his comeback outing. In fact, in trying to find the target with a blow, he ended up seriously injuring himself in the opening moments of the contest.

Conor came flying out of his corner looking for a jumping roundhouse kick. He missed completely, while also landing awkwardly on his right leg. From that moment on, McGregor struggled to keep his footing, and it quickly became obvious that he was in rough shape.

Holloway even pleaded with referee Mike Beltran to stop the fight as he didn’t want to hurt his helpless opponent. McGregor made his feelings very clear on the idea of the bout being ended, but the official soon waved the contest off, with Holloway taking the victory. The entire fight lasted just 69 seconds.

In the aftermath of such a disappointing main event, many questioned whether McGregor was injured heading into the fight. This has since been denied by both Conor himself and his coaches.

Reason Conor McGregor Got Injured vs Max Holloway Emerges

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Reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland, though, took to social media to offer a different perspective on the situation. Referencing McGregor’s well-publicised steroid use, Strickland wrote on X:

“I’m not saying this is it. But every homie I have that has done steroids for too long their bodies become so fragile. I’m not saying that’s why, but it does weaken everything.”

Although Strickland made every effort not to present his statement as a fact, it was clear that he believes that Conor’s prior steroid use contributed to his UFC 329 injury.

The American doubled down on his point in the replies, arguing: “I have a buddy [on steroids] who tears s*** just doing the most basic activities.”

McGregor justified his steroid use during a June interview on the Ariel Helwani Show, when he reasoned:

“You have an injury like that. You’re not going to walk again [without steroids]. If a doctor is prescribing certain medications to help you come back, otherwise you’re not going to walk again.

“There’s like a 20% chance that the leg doesn’t join together again. It’s called a non-union, where the bone doesn’t heal. That’s what’s at stake here.”

Regardless of what caused his injury, McGregor has vowed to come back and honour the final fight on his UFC contract once he is healthy. It remains to be seen whether his body will allow him to make it through a training camp for another bout.

West Ham and Coventry City are said to be battling for a World Cup star who recently impressed against England. The two English clubs went in opposite directions this summer, with Coventry securing their long-awaited return to the Premier League, while West Ham dropped out of the top flight for the first time in 15 years.

Frank Lampard is currently preparing his side for a Premier League season, well aware of the squad strengthening he will have to do to stand a chance of staying up, given the clear void between the top two divisions. Meanwhile, the Hammers will already be confident of securing promotion back to the top flight, armed with a solid budget, but they have lost Mateus Fernandes this season, and more important players are likely to depart before the summer is up.

West Ham and Coventry consider Berg transfer

The World Cup gives players a unique chance to impress on the world stage, especially those who don’t play in prominent domestic leagues, and many players have taken that opportunity this summer. The latest came in the quarter-final between England and Norway, which for most neutrals, was a tough watch.

Perhaps largely down to the extreme heat and humidity, the game was devoid of any real quality, with many of the top stars like Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and others simply failing to perform in the heat. But one player who did have a huge footprint on the game was Norway midfielder Patrick Berg. Berg was everywhere for Norway, and had they won the game, he would have had plenty of credit for it.

The busy midfielder seemed to be involved in almost everything Norway did, and despite his smaller stature, he wasn’t afraid to get stuck in, which was always going to be required in such a close game between two typically physical teams.

Berg impressed throughout the World Cup, and it seems he has now done enough to attract interest from England in the form of West Ham and Coventry.

Berg could cash in on big move

According to TeamTalk, Berg is considering leaving Bodo/Glimt to move abroad after an impressive season all-round, including in the Champions League, and the two clubs mentioned are among a number of English teams showing interest. Premier League clubs Hull City and Ipswich Town are also said to be keeping an eye.

It’s claimed Berg is willing to explore the possible opportunities this summer, now 28 years of age, and now would be the time to cash in after that impressive World Cup effort which has seen him described as one of Norway’s ‘most influential’ players.