Josh Hart Corrects His ‘Argentina=Knicks’ Take After Lionel Messi’s Team Collapses in World Cup Final

With the FIFA World Cup entering its final stage, soccer fan Josh Hart was not going to miss the chance to watch Lionel Messi and his Argentinian National Team try to repeat as champions.

The New York Knicks star is an avid fan of the English Premier League. But when it comes to the World Cup, he has been harping on the Argentina bandwagon for quite a long time.

It is not uncommon to support Messi, as millions of fans do across the globe. But when the diminutive forward goes off in one of the greatest games of his career, and in the 2026 World Cup, it would not be surprising for a die-hard fan to let his imagination run wild.

Argentina = Knicks

Josh Hart on X

The 31-year-old wrote this on July 15th, when Argentina scored two late goals to topple England in the Semi-Finals. Hart saw that as a similarity with his Knicks, who resorted to late-game bursts of points to win the 2026 NBA championship.

I lied.

Hart wrote

This was Hart’s honest opinion when he saw how embarrassingly Messi and Argentina could not do what the Knicks did at the end, win the biggest game of the year using the same method.

I lied. https://t.co/qvpwcdr71O

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 20, 2026

After Spain took a 1-0 lead, many, such as the Villanova alum, felt that the reigning champions would bring forth another comeback. But it did not happen, as Messi and his teammates failed to get a single shot on goal until extra time.

He probably realized that comparing the South American team to his Knicks was incorrect, as their terrible performance stopped them from winning again. No wonder the great striker was left with tears after the game.

Josh Hart believes Lionel Messi is greater than Cristiano Ronaldo

This may be the last time Josh Hart watches the great Lionel Messi don an Argentina jersey and play on the international stage. After all, he is 39 years old, which means he will be 43 when the World Cup heads to Europe.

If he were a goalkeeper, playing into that age may not be a challenge. But as an outfield player, the constant running takes a massive toll on the body. That is why Cristiano Ronaldo made it clear that this edition of the World Cup was his last.

It may have made sense for him to retire in the next edition, as his home nation of Portugal will be one of the hosts. But even an athlete as fit and conditioned as he knows he cannot keep going.

Messi > Ronaldo.

Hart wrote on X

Messi > Ronaldo

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 15, 2026

Josh Hart had every reason to say this, as he saw the Inter Miami striker set up his national teammates for both the goals that helped them break the deadlock and secure their place in the Final. He believes Messi’s performances on the international stage have locked up the greatest debate for him.

Josh Hart’s teammate wants LeBron James to announce his decision after World Cup ends

Josh Hart and all the sports fans watched as the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end with Spain winning it all, while Lionel Messi and his teammates suffered heartbreak.

Since this was the biggest sporting event of the year, there was no doubt that any other game or event was going to be overshadowed. It is possible that LeBron James knew about this and ensured his free agency decision was not going to be lost in the midst of all the soccer chatter.

Final is over… ight Bron it’s your time.

Miles McBride wrote on X

For someone who proved that his decisions would dominate sports media, it would not be surprising if he announced where he would play next in the coming days, once the World Cup conversations die down.

Final is over… ight Bron it’s your time pic.twitter.com/HYodpbTUJx

— M11es McBride (@deucemcb11) July 19, 2026

That is why Knicks star Miles McBride wrote this on X, as he, too, knows no matter how many hints he gives, James was not going to reveal his next team until the World Cup was over.

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