Dez Bryant Compares Messi to Kobe Bryant After Argentina's World Cup Win

Dez Bryant, the former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, compared Lionel Messi to Kobe Bryant after Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England in the 2026 World Cup semifinals. Messi, the Argentina captain, set up both late goals to secure his team’s place in the final.

What happened in the World Cup semifinal?

Argentina trailed England 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup semifinal until Messi orchestrated a stunning late turnaround. He assisted Enzo Fernandez’s equalizer and Lautaro Martinez’s winner in the final 10 minutes. The match, played on July 15, 2026, sent Argentina to their second consecutive World Cup final.

Why the Kobe Bryant comparison?

Dez Bryant drew parallels between Messi’s clutch performances and Kobe Bryant’s legendary ability to take over games in crunch time. Bryant tweeted, 'Messi against Egypt and England reminds me of Kobe Bryant back in the day. In the final two to four minutes... something clicks its takeover time... Real GOAT sh*t!'

What’s the connection between Messi and Kobe Bryant?

The comparison revived memories of a 2012 Turkish Airlines commercial featuring both stars. The ad, 'Legends on Board,' showed Messi and Kobe competing to impress a child on a flight. It became iconic, surpassing 100 million YouTube views.

What’s next for Argentina and Messi?

Argentina will face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Messi, now 39, aims to secure another title before retirement. His performances have drawn praise from NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, further cementing his legacy.