Lionel Messi once tipped Mason Mount to become one of the world's best players. Six years later, the 27-year-old Manchester United midfielder is absent from Thomas Tuchel's 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Mount broke into Chelsea's first team in 2019 and enjoyed a meteoric rise. His displays earned plaudits from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who in a 2020 interview with Topps picked Mount among 15 youngsters he believed were the next generation of global stars. “Having watched him play he has the potential to be one of the best,” Messi said.
“Mason Mount, once tipped by Lionel Messi to be world class, is absent from England's 2026 World Cup squad.”
The praise left Mount lost for words. “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,” he said.
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 then-Chelsea manager Tuchel, he played a crucial role in Chelsea winning the Champions League, contributing nine goals in 54 matches.
But after Chelsea’s takeover by BlueCo, Mount’s playing time drastically reduced. He joined rivals Manchester United in July 2023, ending an 18-year affiliation with Chelsea. Since moving to Old Trafford, his career has been derailed by injuries. He has played just 54 Premier League games across three seasons, preventing him from nailing down a regular spot.
Mount’s last England call-up came in March 2023, while still at Chelsea. Neither Gareth Southgate nor his successor Tuchel have deemed his performances since worthy of a 37th cap. As a result, Mount missed both Euro 2024 and now the World Cup 2026.
Elsewhere at the tournament, Ousmane Dembele has emerged as a new contender to Messi in the Golden Boot race, though details of the standings remain scarce.