Lionel Messi once tipped Mason Mount to become one of the world's best players. However, six years on, the Manchester United midfielder has been excluded from England's World Cup 2026 squad after failing to make Thomas Tuchel's 26-man selection.
Messi's Bold Prediction
Now 27, Mount should be at his peak, yet there is a consensus that he was far more influential during his early years at Chelsea. He broke into the Blues' first team in 2019 and enjoyed a meteoric rise. Mount's displays earned him widespread plaudits, including from eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.
The Argentine, still going strong at the current World Cup, was asked during a Topps interview in 2020 to identify 15 emerging talents he regarded as the next wave of world-class players. Messi launched his collection of Champions League player cards for Topps, dubbed the 'youth on the rise' category. Mount, who had made his Champions League debut just months prior, featured among them.
The Barcelona hero paid the then-youngster the ultimate compliment by saying: "Having watched him play he has the potential to be one of the best."
Mount's Reaction
The glowing endorsement left Mount speechless, having later admitted he initially doubted whether the quotes were real. He said: "When you see and read something like that, it gives you the motivation to just want to get better and better. Hopefully I can do that."
Early Promise at Chelsea
For a period, Messi's prediction looked set to materialise. Mount featured 53 times under Frank Lampard during his breakthrough campaign, finding the net on eight occasions. The following season, under current England boss Tuchel, he was instrumental in Chelsea winning the Champions League for the second time in the club's history, contributing nine goals across 54 appearances.
Decline After Chelsea
Mount continued to play an important role in his third season. However, after Chelsea's takeover by BlueCo, the midfielder's playing time drastically reduced and he made the decision to join rivals United in July 2023, ending an 18-year affiliation with the west Londoners.
Since arriving at Old Trafford, Mount's career has been hampered by injury problems. He has managed only 54 Premier League appearances across three seasons, with his poor availability preventing him from establishing himself as a regular starter or becoming an integral figure.
International Exclusion
As such, Mount's most recent England call-up came in March 2023, back when he was still at Chelsea. Neither Gareth Southgate nor his successor Tuchel have judged his subsequent displays worthy of earning him a 37th cap. That meant Mount was absent from both Euro 2024 and World Cup 2026. Regrettably for both the player and his country, Messi's comments can now be seen as one of the rare times the Argentine has misfired.
