Former Striker Pini Balili Praises Messi and Dreams of Thrilling 2026 World Cup Final

Former Israeli striker Pini Balili appeared on Channel 14's morning show to discuss the dramatic 2026 World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England. Balili humorously admitted that he fell asleep during the first half, which he found boring, and was only awakened by his children celebrating England's goal in the 60th minute. He briefly dozed off again but woke up just in time to witness Argentina's comeback and victory.

Despite being a longtime fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, Balili praised Lionel Messi's performance, highlighting his two crucial assists in the final minutes that helped Argentina secure their place in the final for the second consecutive World Cup. Balili speculated that if Messi wins his third World Cup, he might announce his retirement from international football on the pitch, marking an emotional moment.

Looking ahead to the final on Sunday between Argentina and Spain, Balili expressed no preference for either team but hopes for an exciting match. He envisioned a thrilling scenario involving a 2-2 draw in regular time, additional goals in extra time, and a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to decide the champion.