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Argentina’s libertarian president and political phenomenon, Javier Milei, has some serious competition for centre stage.

Christian, captain and soccer legend Lionel “Leo” Messi is making FIFA 2026 headlines and bringing God with him.

An estimated five billion are likely to be watching this year’s Federation International (FIFA) World Cup.

At least 69,000 witnessed the unapologetic Argentinian’s faith-filled performance, which led to Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria.

More would have tuned in to hear one of the top goal scorers in the world give all the credit to God.

Giving Glory to God

As highlighted by the Christian Broadcasting Network, Messi, who is worshipped as a god by many of his fans, said,

“I can’t ask for more than what I received. As I’ve said many times, thank God that he has given me so much and everything that comes now is a blessing.”

“I don’t look at [being] first, second, third; I think it’s an incredible compliment.”

CBN were responding to a video of Messi posted online by faith-based Instagram channel Ballers in God.

Considered The Goat (exceptional at what he does), Messi is renowned for pushing the limelight back onto his team. He also avoids bathing in the glory. Instead, he chooses to express gratitude for the grace of God.

Providing scale and significance as far as Messi’s impact goes, even the previous Pope was a fan.

Albeit with sound theological caveats, Pope Francis joked about the size of Latin America’s admiration for the man, quipping, “he’s great to watch, but he is not God.’

For further proof that the size of admiration does not match the humble size of Messi’s ego, the United States have momentarily named a street after the 39-year-old.

Union County in New Jersey temporarily renamed an intersection the “Leo Messi Way” for the duration of the World Cup, currently being hosted in the U.S.

An organiser told ABC7 New York they “thought it was a good idea.”

“I think,” they added, “we connect with Messi in a different way because we are both immigrants, Argentinians living abroad, and his love for our flag, our colours and our culture is inspiring.”

Responding to the gesture, Messi told a June 18 press briefing that he saw the sign, saying he wouldn’t have ever imagined that happening, or “anything else I had to go through.”

“Everything I’m experiencing now is just for show,” he said.

“I was lucky enough to achieve all my dreams at a level or even more than I could have achieved individually or as a group.”

“The truth is that everything I’ve experienced is much more than I could have imagined when I was a kid.”

While being one of the top scorers would normally be an enormous source of pride, Messi shrugged the poll positioning off as stats, saying he doesn’t look at them.

“They mean nothing,” he remarked.

Messi, Faith and Football

Similarly, in 2024 during a 60-minute interview, Messi deflected praise by pointing to God.

Five minutes in, the soccer star told Clank, an Argentinian YouTube channel, “I think I was born like this because God chose me.”

“It was a gift he gave me. I tried to take advantage of it; I did everything possible to make the most of it.”

“Even though I worked a lot for it,” Messi asserted, “I don’t think I did anything to be the player I was already at that age.”

Talking competition, he confessed to being competitive, saying, “It’s like the gift we talked about; I was born with it, and I’ll always be like this. I even have a hard time letting my kids win!”

Being competitive, Messi reflected, was nice, “but I also assimilate losing and learn from every loss. You’ll always lose more than you win.”

“I’ve always been self-critical. I’m the first one who notices when I make a mistake or not.”

“In football, you can be ten times better than your opponent and still lose.”

Continuing his conversation with Clank, Messi said,

“I’ll keep playing as long as I can. I enjoy the daily routine. I love football.”

Faith isn’t the only secret to his successful soccer career. The father of three also hinted at the role family plays in his career.

“When the day comes where I’m no longer a professional, I’ll still be playing football with my kids and friends.”

“I’ll keep doing it until God wants me to, like always.”

Humility, Integrity and Honouring God

Messi’s recent success hasn’t been without controversy or criticism.

Critics claimed the soccer player was given special treatment during his record-breaking World Cup win against Algeria.

According to the New York Times, Algerian players lodged a formal complaint about referee decisions that appeared to work in Argentina’s favour.

Messi was also caught up in a short-lived social media storm after meeting with President Donald Trump in March.

He was videoed applauding the president’s statements about Iran.

While some outlets described Messi’s response as “awkward” (The Daily Mail), others criticised the soccer player, calling his response “bizarre” (Sports without limits journalist, and pro-Palestinian activist, Leyla Hamed).

Not everyone is bitter.

Atheist and evolutionary biologist, Gad Saad declared, “Messi might be proof that God exists.”

In a video posted to X and YouTube, he noted Messi’s age and the mighty achievement, stating, “he is unmatched; unrivalled.”

He’s one of the best players that’s ever lived, Saad commented, adding, “he’s been engineered by the gods to be the perfect soccer player, and then he says, ‘You know, I’m not done’.”

“When I watch,” Saad explained, “I become troubled because it just – he leaves you speechless.”

Noting Messi’s humility, integrity and the “way he carries himself on the field,” Saad said, “Messi doesn’t cheat. He acts with complete class like he’s just one of the other players.”

“If [only] we could all live our lives with the honour that Messi carries himself on the field.”

He’s a role model, Saad concluded.

Messi “exhibits values that are worth emulating.”

“If you’re going to believe that God exists… you have to watch Messi play.”

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Image via WallpaperAccess and Unsplash.