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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Garnacho eyeing World Cup opportunity</li><li>Describes playing with Messi as a "dream"</li><li>Argentina won 2024 Copa America</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Look away, Cristiano Ronaldo! Alejandro Garnacho admits it's a 'dream' playing with Lionel Messi for Argentina as Man Utd star targets 2026 World Cup glory

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<p>Garnacho has had the privilege of playing alongside both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in his career, and while he's made it clear <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-garnacho-throws-out-ronaldo-nap-celebration-permission-from-main-man/blt118eb04409a3260e" target="_blank">just how much he admires the Portuguese icon</a>, he is thoroughly enjoying being Messi's team-mate with Argentina.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Garnacho and Messi are in the midst of a World Cup qualifying campaign <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/argentina-player-ratings-vs-peru-lionel-messi-s-outrageous-assist-lifts-la-albiceleste-to-conmebol-world-cup-qualifying-victory/blt4cb02c74bbd8b860" target="_blank">that is going exceptionally well</a>. Argentina hold a five-point lead atop the CONMEBOL qualification standings and can secure their spot in the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada in March. The Manchester United forward is determined to play a key role in Argentina's title defence and will undoubtedly hope that Messi, who will be 38 when the World Cup begins, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-will-make-another-world-cup-aged-39-if-he-wants-to-argentina-inter-miami-2026/bltb5aa3ea2e511c168" target="_blank">is still part of the squad</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"For me, playing for Argentina and with Messi is a dream," Garnacho told <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2024/articles/alejandro-garnacho-interview-manchester-united-argentina" target="_blank"><em>FIFA</em></a>. “I have to keep working [and] try to play better and better. I was at the Copa America with all the team. I didn’t play too much but just being around these players and winning the Copa was an incredible moment. Hopefully, for the next World Cup, I will be ready to play, and we will try to win.”</p>

WHAT GARNACHO SAID

<p>Argentina can lock up their place at the World Cup during March's qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. Garnacho's present focus will be on helping a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ruben-amorim-insists-man-utd-suffering-same-problems-old-sporting-cp-side-following-worst-league-start-40-years/blt3cdb542efef71761" target="_blank">struggling United side</a>; the Red Devils take on Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR GARNACHO?

Look away, Cristiano Ronaldo! Alejandro Garnacho admits it's a 'dream' playing with Lionel Messi for Argentina as Man Utd star targets 2026 World Cup glory | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Alejandro Garnacho is relishing the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi as the Manchester United star sets his sights on World Cup glory with Argentina.

Look away, Cristiano Ronaldo! Alejandro Garnacho admits it&apos;s a &apos;dream&apos; playing with Lionel Messi for Argentina as Man Utd star targets 2026 World Cup glory