GIVEN that he is due to turn 36 next summer, this will almost certainly be Lionel Messi’s final appearance at a World Cup. As one of the greatest players of all time, it would surely only be fitting if he went out with a bang.

The World Cup has not been particularly kind to Messi so far, with his four previous appearances ending in disappointment, albeit by the narrowest of margins in 2014 when Argentina lost to an extra-time goal to Germany in the final.

The same was true of the Copa America prior to last year’s renewal, with Messi’s five previous outings in the South American showpiece also having ended in failure, but things finally changed for Argentina’s attacking-midfield maestro when his side beat Brazil in the 2021 final to enable him to claim the first major international trophy of his career. With the Copa America ticked off his to-do list, only a World Cup winners’ medal remains.

It could also be hanging around his neck next month, with Argentina having headed to Qatar as one of the most exciting and best-balanced squads in the tournament.

Of course, Messi remains the main man, having returned to something approaching his very best with Paris St Germain this season. He remains as mesmeric as ever when he has the ball at his feet, but unlike at previous World Cups, he should also line up in Qatar with some effective attacking threats around him.

Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Roma’s Paulo Dybala are established international talents, with Manchester City youngster Julian Alvarez also knocking on the door for a starting spot. Defensively, the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Otamendi give Argentina a typically robust look, and with the memory of last year’s successful Copa America campaign driving them on, La Albiceleste should be there or thereabouts.

They shouldn’t have too much trouble negotiating a passage through their group, with Poland and Mexico expected to battle it out for the second qualification spot.

Like Argentina, Poland can be accused of being a one-man team, with Robert Lewandowski towering above his team-mates when it comes to talent and honours. Messi has other world-class players around him, but Lewandowski really does stand out as an outlier in the Polish squad, and while his goalscoring abilities are unquestionable, the 34-year-old Barcelona striker will not be able to do much if his team-mates cannot get the ball to him.

As a result, Mexico might well emerge as Argentina’s biggest threat, with the North American nation having qualified for, and lost in, the round of 16 at each of the last seven World Cups. It is a remarkable record that could well be repeated this time around, although Mexico will have to overcome the absence of star striker Jesus Corona and the flatlining form of his fellow forward, Raul Jimenez. Much could depend on Napoli winger Hirving Lozano, who will have to conjure up most of Mexico’s attacking threat.

The group is completed by Saudi Arabia, the second-lowest ranked team at the tournament, who have scored just four goals in their last nine matches. The Saudi side benefit from familiarity – almost all of the squad play in the Saudi Pro League and the vast majority were involved in the World Cup in Russia in four years ago – but it would be a major surprise if they were able to survive in a tough-looking group.