Switzerland has praised Lionel Messi ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina, but believes it has identified weaknesses in the defending champion that can be exploited.
Midfielder Denis Zakaria described Argentina as the best team in the world and Messi as the game’s outstanding player, but insisted Switzerland had the quality to contain the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and derail the South Americans’ title defence.
“It will be up to us to produce a very big performance if we want to beat them,” Zakaria said. “It’s always difficult to stop a player like that, but I think we have the quality and the players to do it.”
Switzerland, which eliminated Algeria and Colombia in the knockout rounds, has reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years.
Messi has scored eight goals in the tournament, level with France’s Kylian Mbappe, and inspired Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16.
Zakaria said Switzerland’s approach would require a collective effort rather than an exclusive focus on Argentina’s captain.
“We know that Messi is the best, or one of the best players in the world, but Argentina are not only Messi,” he said.
Forward Zeki Amdouni said Switzerland had studied Argentina closely and found areas it could target.
“I think there is space, and if we’re here today, it’s because we can hurt them too,” Amdouni said.
“Messi is a great player, the greatest. But playing against your idols is different. We’ll give everything on the field and do our best to beat Argentina.”
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Published on Jul 11, 2026