Changing preparation is essential for World Cup success, Signorini tells Messi

Lionel Messi’s World Cup future remains uncertain, yet it is widely believed that he will appear in the 2026 tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Argentina’s former fitness coach Fernando Signorini insists the team needs him if they wish to defend their world title.

According to Signorini, Messi must take a substantial break from Major League Soccer before the World Cup. He strongly criticises the level of competition at Inter Miami, saying the football played there is not genuine football but a parody.

In an interview with Super Deportivo Radio, Signorini invoked the example of Diego Maradona, explaining that Messi’s singular focus now should be the 2026 World Cup. He firmly believes Maradona would have told Messi to “make the World Cup your priority.”

Messi recently noted that his decision to play will depend on his physical and mental condition. Signorini argues the best way to ensure he feels in top shape is to enter a period of “early isolation.” Three months of complete rest away from the game, he suggests, will help Messi shake off fatigue and trigger a renewed desire for competition.

Although Messi extended his Inter Miami contract until 2028 after joining in 2023, Signorini maintains that MLS is not competitive enough to prepare him for the World Cup’s demands. He even remarked that he did not witness real football at Inter Miami’s ground, likening it to another sport entirely.

He cautions that remaining in MLS until the World Cup will increase the gap between Messi and European-based footballers, posing a risk for Argentina. Signorini’s final recommendation is that Messi should prioritise the World Cup above all else, conserve energy and avoid attempting to play every match from the start.

AJ