Lionel Messi once tipped Mason Mount to become one of the world’s best players. Yet, six years later, the Manchester United midfielder is absent from the England World Cup 2026 squad, having not been selected as part of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man camp.
Now aged 27, Mount should be in his prime, though there is a consensus that he was far more influential during the early part of his career 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 none other than eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page
The Argentine, who is still going strong at the current World Cup, was asked in a 2020 interview with Topps to come up with a selection of 15 youngsters he believed were the next generation of global stars.
Messi launched his pack of Champions League player cards for Topps, dubbed the ‘youth on the rise’ category. It included Mount, who had made his Champions League debut just months earlier.
The Barcelona legend paid the then-youngster the ultimate compliment by saying: “Having watched him play he has the potential to be one of the best.” The praise left Mount lost for words and he revealed he didn’t believe it was real at first.
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.”
For a brief period, Messi’s prediction appeared to be coming true. Mount made 53 appearances under Frank Lampard in his breakthrough season, scoring eight goals.
The following campaign, under current England manager Tuchel, he played a crucial role in Chelsea winning the Champions League for the second time in their history, contributing nine goals in 54 matches.
View 2 ImagesTuchel did not select Mount for the World Cup despite their Chelsea links(Image: GETTY)
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 joining the Old Trafford side, Mount’s career has been derailed by injuries. He has played just 54 Premier League games across three seasons, with his coming in and out of the team preventing him from ever nailing down a regular spot or becoming a key player.
As such, Mount’s last England call up came in March 2023, when he was still at Chelsea. Neither Gareth Southgate nor his successor Tuchel have deemed his performances since worthy of awarding him a 37th cap.
That meant Mount missed both Euro 2024 and World Cup 2026. Unfortunately for both the player and his country, Messi’s comments can now be seen as one of the few times the Argentine has mis-fired.
Article continues belowEngland’s 2026 World Cup kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Various PricesKitbagBuy Now on Kitbag
England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code DEAL.