Ahead of Spain’s Round of 16 clash with Portugal, forward Mikel Oyarzabal has labeled Lionel Messi the premier striker of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Real Sociedad star expressed his admiration for the Argentine veteran during a recent interview on the radio show El Partidazo de COPE.
When prompted to name the best striker in the competition, Oyarzabal opted for Messi, noting that the playmaker transcends the traditional definition of a number nine. He remarked that Messi embodies the essence of football itself, making him the obvious choice regardless of his specific role on the field.
Oyarzabal himself has been in stellar form, scoring twice in a 3-0 win against Austria to reach four goals this tournament and 17 in his last 16 international appearances. These statistics have made him a contender for the Golden Boot. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Lionel Messi continues to build on his historic legacy. After scoring his 20th career World Cup goal against Cape Verde, he has now found the net in eight consecutive tournament matches, further extending his record as the most prolific scorer in World Cup history.
