He's friends with an Argentine star, sharing a passion. They're even indulging it during the World Cup!

He's one of the most recognized and successful Argentine footballers in these parts. With Slovan Bratislava, he clinched two Slovak championship titles and also celebrated a Slovak Cup victory.

The experienced 37-year-old defender, Nicolas Gorosito, is closely following his compatriots' performance at the ongoing World Cup. He has personal experience with the star Lionel Messi and shares a friendly bond with another prominent figure from the team defending their world champion title.

He readily shared insights about their shared hobby and other interesting facts with ŠPORT.sk.

The phenomenal Lionel Messi scored six goals in three group stage matches. Even an injury he was battling before the tournament couldn't slow him down. What do you make of his current form?

"Hmm, what can you say about it... He's an admirable player. There's a lot of talk about him being 38 when the World Cup started – now even 39 – but he's still capable of incredible things. Whether you watch him on TV or live, many people look forward to Argentina playing, precisely because of Lionel Messi, who constantly breaks records. And many wish he wouldn't retire from football just yet."

Is this still the good old Messi, a younger version of the one who shone at club level for FC Barcelona?

"Yes, still. My opinion is that age is just a number. He plays as if he were 30, and in my view, even better than at the previous World Cup in Qatar. Much better. He prepared well, as he himself said, and he's showcasing things we won't see again anytime soon. Let's wait and see what comes next."

Can Messi lead Argentina to another World Cup title?

"It's too early to say, we need to take it game by game. In the three matches so far, they've secured three wins, keeping two clean sheets, so I hope they continue this way, as this is the path to the final. However, it will be challenging. Opponents already know Argentina and are aware of the players they have."

Do you consider Lionel Messi the greatest footballer of all time?

"(after a moment of thought) Yes. Currently, there are other players like Haaland or Mbappé who could surpass him, although it will be very difficult for them. And of course, there's Ronaldo, also a fantastic player who can be placed on a similar level. In his case, he's a machine. Everything Messi has achieved, he also accomplished because he played in the era of Ronaldo, and they pushed each other. But Messi is unique. And the best."

Do you have any personal experience with him?

"Yes, back when I played for Getafe. We faced a top-tier Barcelona at home, with Iniesta, Messi, Suárez, and other stars. That was in September 2017. I wasn't on the squad for that match due to injury, but we met afterwards. A bit later, Lionel and I also crossed paths at a restaurant during a holiday in Ibiza. My wife took a photo with him, but unfortunately, I didn't."

You have a much closer relationship with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. You recently mentioned being in daily contact. Does that still hold true during the World Cup?

"Yes. We're good friends and share a hobby – we play PlayStation together. We even played before the 2022 World Cup final against France."

Do you still play Call of Duty?

"Yes."

Who's more successful?

"We play together, against a group of different people from all over the world. It's an online game. It might sound unbelievable, but it's our hobby. If not every night, then every other night we dedicate time to it. We message each other in our WhatsApp group and play."

Do you talk about the football championship with each other now?

"Oh yes. We talk about how training went, how the players are doing, and what the next match might look like. Of course, he can't reveal everything, but since we're good friends, he tells me a few things privately.

We met during our time together at Getafe, where he came on loan from Arsenal London. When the pandemic hit, we started to be in more contact through PlayStation. We were stuck at home, so we passed the time with video games."

Do you know any other players from the current Argentine national team?

"Yes. I can mention Julián Álvarez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Leandro Paredes. We also greet Giovani Lo Celso. I'm only in more intense contact with Emiliano."

In the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, Argentina will face the tournament's sensation – Cape Verde. What do you think of this team?

"Honestly, I haven't followed Cape Verde much yet. I read about how small their percentage chance of advancing was before the tournament started. It sounds incredible, but look where they are now, and they'll be playing against the reigning world champions. I can't say much more about Cape Verde for now, but I think they're where they are because they fought. And they will certainly fight against Argentina."

The story of goalkeeper Vozinha is also incredible; he played in the Slovak league for Trenčín and now he could be facing Messi at the World Cup. Wow, hats off! Before, he had tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, now he has over 17 million. What a World Cup can do, right? It's unbelievable and can only be described as – super."

If Argentina advances past Cape Verde, they would face the winner of Australia – Egypt in the Round of 16. On paper, it looks like a relatively favorable path to the quarterfinals, what do you say?

"On paper, yes, but they have to prove it on the field. Argentina should win these matches, but it's always eleven against eleven, and we'll see what the reality is."

Which teams, besides Argentina, are the biggest favorites for the 2026 World Cup in your eyes?

"Definitely France. I hope the Spanish also do well. I don't want Brazil to fall behind, because with them, it's a Clásico for us and always a good and interesting match. Although Argentina can only meet Brazil in the semi-finals."

And what about the players? Who can compete with Lionel Messi for the title of the tournament's best player?

"Undoubtedly Vinicius, Mbappé, Haaland. Those three, one hundred percent."