Egyptian Mohamed Salah (10 years old) reacts after the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Mohamed Salah has made it clear which football icon he will choose to share the “last dance” with at the World Cup Finals, mentioning Lionel Messi before Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Harry Kane
Just days before blockbuster Egypt faces off in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup with defending champions Argentina.The knockout match, scheduled for Tuesday 7 July at Atalanta, will be the first World Cup meeting between Salah and Messi and only the third time the two modern greats have faced each other in their careers. The winner will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will meet either Colombia or Switzerland, as Egypt seeks one of the biggest upsets of the tournament against the world champions.
Salah chooses Messi to participate in the FIFA World Cup finals
The 2026 World Cup is widely expected to be the final appearance on football’s biggest stage for many members of one of the sport’s greatest generations.At 39 years old, Messi continues to lead Argentina’s title defence, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Luka Modric and Salah himself are seen as players unlikely to feature in a World Cup again.Following Egypt’s dramatic Round of 32 win over Australia on penalties, reporters asked Salah which player he would choose for the joint ‘last dance’ from a group that included Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and Harry Kane.
The Egyptian captain did not hesitate.“Messi,” Salah replied with a smile, making his preference immediately clear.
The question did not specify whether “last dance” referred to playing alongside someone or simply sharing one last World Cup journey. Regardless of the interpretation. However, Salah’s answer left little doubt as to which player he wants most by his side in this closing chapter.Ironically, this wish will now become a reality almost immediately.
Argentina and Egypt are preparing to meet for the first time in the World Cup
Egypt, led by Salah, will now face Argentina, led by Messi, in one of the most prominent clashes in the round of 16.Argentina secured their place after surviving a major scare against Cape Verde, eventually winning 3-2 after extra time in a match that pushed Lionel Scaloni’s side to the limit.
Argentine Lionel Messi (10) scores his first goal past Cape Verde goalkeeper Fosinha (1) during the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Florida, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The dramatic win ensured the defending champions’ survival in their quest for back-to-back World Cup titles, but also exposed weaknesses that Egypt are hoping to exploit.The Pharaohs arrive confidently after defeating Australia on penalties to reach the knockout stages, which will be the first competitive meeting between the two countries in the World Cup.
Football World Cup
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Egyptian Mohamed Salah (10) scores a penalty kick in a shootout in a round-of-32 FIFA World Cup match against Australia in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A win would send either team to the quarter-finals, where either Colombia or Switzerland await.
Messi and Salah renew a rare rivalry
Although they both spent more than a decade among football’s elite, Messi and Salah have only met twice before.Both encounters came in the Champions League while representing former clubs.The first was a 1-1 draw in the group stage during the 2015-16 season, when Salah played for Roma against Messi’s Barcelona.The second meeting between them came in the first leg of the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou. Messi produced one of his best European performances, scoring twice as Barcelona beat Liverpool 3-0 before Jurgen Klopp’s side came back from behind at Anfield to reach the final.Therefore, the upcoming confrontation in Atlanta will be the third encounter between the two teams overall and the first in which the national team will wear its colors, with a place at stake in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi continues to lead Golden Boot Race Salah’s eyes also became more disturbed
Messi enters the competition in great style.The Argentina captain scored his seventh goal of the 2026 World Cup against Cape Verde, maintaining his place among the tournament’s top scorers while extending his all-time World Cup record to 20 career goals.He remains one of the competition’s iconic figures despite approaching his 40th birthday and continues his quest for back-to-back World Cup titles after leading Argentina to glory in Qatar four years ago.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi looks on during the FIFA World Cup round of 32 match against Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Florida, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Meanwhile, Salah carries Egypt’s hopes in what promises to be their toughest test of the tournament. He is also Egypt’s all-time leading scorer in the World Cup with three goals, as he scored two goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and added a decisive third goal against New Zealand during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. The Liverpool striker now has the opportunity to fulfill a wish he expressed after the win over Australia, sharing the stage with Messi in what could mark the final World Cup appearance for two modern football icons. Whether that “last dance” ends in another chapter in Messi’s remarkable career or one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 tournament will be decided when Egypt and Argentina meet in Atlanta with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
