Coverage links Lionel Messi to Germany through historical FIFA World Cup matchups and scenarios involving the German team. One report notes that Messi’s long wait for a World Cup trophy would have ended earlier had Germany not been involved, referencing the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The article frames Germany’s World Cup 2026 elimination as creating an additional advantage for Messi, largely in terms of competitive outcomes and tournament pathways. While the reporting focuses on the significance of Germany’s removal, it also emphasizes Messi’s broader personal connection to the country and how earlier tournament results shaped his World Cup timeline. Overall, the sources present the same idea: Germany’s knockout in FIFA World Cup 2026 affects the stakes for Messi, and Germany’s role is used to connect this moment to Messi’s previous near-miss in 2014. The accounts do not add conflicting details, and both point to the same historical reference and the same rationale for why Messi benefits from Germany’s exit.