World Cup 2026: Yassine Bounou backs Argentina after Morocco exit, hails Messi’s ‘greatness’

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has thrown his support behind Argentina following the Atlas Lions’ elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, praising Lionel Messi’s leadership and resilience as the South American champions continue their title defence.

Morocco’s impressive World Cup campaign came to an end after a 2-0 defeat to France in the quarter-finals, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé ending the North Africans’ hopes of reaching the last four.

Despite the disappointment of the defeat, Bounou shifted his attention to Argentina, expressing admiration for Messi and the team’s fighting spirit ahead of their next fixture.

Speaking to DSportsRadio, the experienced goalkeeper congratulated Messi and his Argentine teammates while wishing them success for the remainder of the tournament.

“I congratulate Messi and I also congratulate all the players and friends I have in the Argentina national team. I wish them nothing but the very best,” Bounou said.

The Al Hilal shot-stopper highlighted Argentina’s determination and competitive mentality as key factors behind their continued success on the world stage.

“I see Argentina playing with a lot of heart and spirit, which is something that has always characterized Argentine players,” he added.

Bounou reserved special praise for Messi, pointing to the veteran forward’s response after missing a penalty in Argentina’s previous World Cup match. According to the Moroccan goalkeeper, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner demonstrated exceptional mental strength by quickly recovering from the setback and inspiring his team.

“I was really impressed by the mentality Messi showed in the last match. After missing a penalty, he regained his confidence, showed his strong personality, and carried the entire team on his shoulders. It shows that we’re seeing a different Messi, a freer Messi, a Messi with completely different energy.”

The 35-year-old goalkeeper believes Messi’s ability to overcome adversity and continue performing at the highest level is a testament to his enduring quality and status as one of football’s greatest players.

“That highlights the true greatness of the player he is. It’s a privilege and a joy to still be able to watch him play at this age, knowing that he’s still capable of producing miracles,” Bounou concluded.

Morocco’s quarter-final exit marked the end of another memorable World Cup journey for the Atlas Lions, who once again showcased their growing stature on the international stage. While their campaign ended in disappointment against France, Bounou’s comments reflected the respect shared among elite players for Messi’s continued brilliance as Argentina pursue another World Cup triumph.