Agbonlahor Backs Messi for Aston Villa Premier League, Champions League Glory

Former England international Gabby AgbonlahorPlayer·Gabby Agbonlahor has put forth a series of ambitious claims regarding Lionel MessiPlayer·Lionel Messi's potential impact on English football and his enduring international career. Agbonlahor, speaking on the talkSPORT World CupCompetition·World Cup Breakfast show, suggested that if Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa were to secure the Argentine superstar, they would immediately become contenders for both the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League and UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League titles.

When presented with a hypothetical choice between Messi, Harry KanePlayer·Harry Kane, Kylian MbappePlayer·Kylian Mbappe, and Erling HaalandPlayer·Erling Haaland for Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa, Agbonlahor unequivocally selected Messi. He expressed strong conviction in Messi's ability to elevate the club to unprecedented heights, stating, "If Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa sign Messi, Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa win the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League and Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League."

These remarks arrive as Messi continues to demonstrate his exceptional talent on the global stage. The Argentina captain recently became the oldest player to score a World CupCompetition·World Cup hat-trick in an opening 3-0 victory over AlgeriaTeam·Algeria, a performance he followed with two goals in a 2-0 win against Austria. These consecutive displays have extended his scoring streak to six World CupCompetition·World Cup matches, elevating his total to 18 goals and making him the outright all-time leading goalscorer in the competition's history.

Argentina has already secured the top spot in their current World CupCompetition·World Cup group and will conclude their group stage campaign against Jordan on Saturday. Following this, they are set to face the runners-up of Group H, which includes Spain, UruguayTeam·Uruguay, Cabo Verde, and Saudi Arabia, in the round-of-32. Messi will aim to maintain his remarkable goalscoring form as the tournament progresses.

While Agbonlahor's predictions for Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa are striking, the 2025/26 season saw different outcomes in Europe's top competitions. ArsenalTeam·Arsenal clinched their fourth Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League title, ending a 22-year drought, while Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League crown, defeating ArsenalTeam·Arsenal in the final held at the Puskás ArénaVenue·Puskás Aréna in BudapestVenue·Budapest. Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa, for their part, secured a place in the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League by finishing in the top four of the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League, and also won the UEFA Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League, earning a spot in the 2026 UEFA Super CupCompetition·UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain.

Beyond club football, Agbonlahor also voiced a firm belief in Messi's longevity, challenging the common expectation that the current tournament might be his last. Messi, who turns 39 this week, continues to dictate matches with his influence and skill. Agbonlahor confidently asserted that Messi would still be competing at the 2030 World CupCompetition·World Cup, at the age of 43, underscoring his unique status in the sport.

"The fans, the whole game, I was watching it yesterday, all I can hear is, 'Messi, Messi,' the whole game, after the game, like Olivia says. He's different... do not be surprised, I've said it the other day, Messi will play another World Cup."— Gabby Agbonlahor.

Agbonlahor's comments highlight the profound impact Messi has on the game, both through his on-field performances and the sheer adoration he commands from fans worldwide.