Christie aims for glory alongside Messi at World Cup 2026

Ryan Christie prepares to face Morocco in his first World Cup appearance after watching Messi's magic firsthand.

Messi’s brilliance leaves Christie in awe Sitting with his teammates in their Charlotte hotel, Ryan Christie couldn’t help but watch Lionel Messi’s breathtaking display against Algeria. The Bournemouth and Scotland midfielder admitted he felt like just another fan when the Argentine maestro lit up the pitch. "When you relax, you turn back into a spectator," Christie remarked. "Watching Messi score a hat-trick like that is incredible, almost surreal. I looked up to him so much as a kid, so to share the same stage now—especially at his age—feels surreal." The tournament’s intensity jumped another notch as Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland dominated the headlines with their performances. ## A journey from doubt to the world stage Christie never imagined he’d reach a stage this grand when he was younger. "It was non-existent," he said of his childhood dreams. "I wanted to play for Scotland—that was my ultimate goal—but I never pictured anything beyond that. I didn’t watch Scotland in a major tournament, so it never felt possible. That’s why qualifying for the Euros under Steve Clarke in Serbia hit me so hard." The emotional weight of that victory still lingers, with Christie recalling how the moment felt unattainable for him and his teammates. ## Tears and triumph after historic night The raw emotion Christie felt after Scotland’s Euros qualification remains vivid. "Those tears came because it felt so far out of reach," he explained. "Now, to be here in this World Cup is incredible. Every player knows the world is watching, and we’re desperate to make our mark." His chance came off the bench against Haiti, and now he could start against Morocco in Boston, a game where Scotland aim to shock one of the tournament’s favorites. ## Scotland’s underdog fight against Morocco With Scotland heavy underdogs against Morocco, Christie isn’t naive about the challenge. "We know how tough this will be," he admitted. "We won’t dominate possession or stop them from creating chances, but we can keep their numbers low and punish them when we get the chance." He’s convinced Scotland can make it difficult for Morocco to break them down, even if victory seems unlikely. "We’ve got to believe we can win," he said, pointing to their Haiti performance as proof of their resilience. ## A new contract and Messi’s lesson in longevity Christie recently signed a new deal with Bournemouth, keeping him at the club until 2029. The sight of Messi thriving at 38 has given him hope that this World Cup might not be his last. "Seeing players in England still performing at such a high level in their mid-30s is inspiring," he noted. "Some are pushing into their late 30s and still delivering week after week." Clarke’s emphasis on squad depth has also resonated with Christie, who understands his role—whether as a starter or a late substitute—matters. ## Clarke’s rotation plan and Christie’s role Steve Clarke has stressed the importance of every player’s contribution, whether they play three minutes or 90. Christie agrees wholeheartedly, saying, "The manager made it clear that every single person in this squad has a part to play. Some might get minutes, others might play the full game, but we’re all needed." His cameo against Haiti proved Clarke’s philosophy in action, leaving Christie prepared for whatever role he’s given against Morocco. ## Morocco awaits in quest for history One point against Morocco could secure Scotland’s knockout spot, while a strong performance could cement their legacy. "Making it to this World Cup is a dream," Christie reflected. "But now we’ve got to push further, keep raising the bar. The manager won’t let us settle." Having already achieved one dream, Christie is now chasing another—proving Scotland belong among the world’s best in 2026.