Mohamed Salah picks Lionel Messi for ‘last dance’ at World Cup ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Harry Kane

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (10) reacts after the World Cup 32 match between Australia and Egypt in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde) Mohamed Salah made it clear which football icon he would choose to share the final “last dance” of the World Cup with, naming Lionel Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Harry Kane just days before Egypt’s blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash with defending champions Argentina.The knockout clash, scheduled for Tuesday 7 July at the Atlanta Stadium, will be Salah and Messi’s first meeting at the World Cup and only the third time the two modern-day greats have faced each other in their careers. The winner will advance to the quarter-finals to face either Colombia or Switzerland, with Egypt chasing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament against the reigning world champions.

Salah picks Messi for the final chapter of the World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is widely expected to be the last appearance on football’s biggest stage for several members of one of the sport’s greatest generations.At 39, Messi continues to lead Argentina’s title defence, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Luka Modrić and Salah himself are all considered players unlikely to feature at the next World Cup.Following Egypt’s dramatic Round of 32 win over Australia on penalties, Salah asked a reporter which player he would pick 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 known.The question did not specify whether the “last dance” involved playing alongside someone or simply sharing one final World Cup journey. Regardless of interpretation. However, Salah’s response left little room for doubt as to which player he would most like to have alongside him in this final chapter.Ironically, this wish will now become a reality almost immediately.

Argentina and Egypt are preparing for their first ever World Cup meeting

Salah’s Egypt will now face Messi’s Argentina in one of the best matches of the Round of 16.Argentina secured their place after surviving a big scare against Cape Verde, eventually winning 3-2 after extra time in a match that pushed Lionel Scaloni’s side to the limit.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) scores his first goal against Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinho (1) during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Florida, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The dramatic victory kept the defending champions alive in the hunt for back-to-back World Cup titles, but also exposed vulnerabilities that Egypt hope to exploit.The Pharaohs arrive confident after beating Australia in a penalty shoot-out to reach the knockout stages and set up the first competitive meeting between the two nations at the FIFA World Cup.

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (10) scores a penalty in a shootout during the World Cup Round of 32 match against Australia in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

A win would send both sides into the quarter-finals, where they will face either Colombia or Switzerland.

Messi and Salah renew a rare rivalry

Although both have spent more than a decade among football’s elite, Messi and Salah have only met twice before.Both meetings came in the UEFA 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.Their second meeting came in the first leg of the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou. Messi produced one of his best European performances as he scored twice as Barcelona beat Liverpool 3-0 before Jurgen Klopp’s side famously overcame a deficit at Anfield to reach the final.The upcoming meeting in Atlanta will therefore be their third meeting overall and their first in national team colours, with the quarter-finals of the World Cup on the line.

Messi continues to lead the race for the Golden Boot, while Salah sees the most upset

Messi enters the competition in great form.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 World Cup record to 20 career goals.He remains one of the defining figures of the competition despite approaching his 40th birthday and continues his quest for World Cup titles after leading Argentina to glory in Qatar four years ago.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi looks on during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match against Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Florida, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Salah, meanwhile, carries Egypt’s hopes into what promises to be their toughest test of the tournament. With three goals, he is also Egypt’s all-time World Cup goalscorer, netting twice at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and adding a crucial third against New Zealand during the 2026 World Cup group stage. The Liverpool striker now has the chance to fulfill the wish he expressed after beating Australia to share the stage with Messi in what could be the final World Cup appearance for two modern football icons. Whether this “last dance” ends up being the next chapter in Messi’s remarkable career or one of the tournament’s biggest shocks in 2026 will be decided when Egypt and Argentina meet in Atlanta for a place in the quarter-finals.