**[Chelsea](https://sportwitness.co.uk/category/premier-league/chelsea/) midfielder Enzo Fernández has made it clear where his focus lies this summer. Argentina’s World Cup campaign is taking centre stage despite fresh reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.**
The 25-year-old remains one of Chelsea’s most important players and continues to be mentioned among Real Madrid’s potential midfield targets.
Spanish newspapers earlier this month even claimed [**he had an agreement in place**](https://sportwitness.co.uk/chelsea-star-has-personal-agreement-in-place-for-transfer-presidential-elections-key/) with José Mourinho’s side.
Yet when Fernández faced the media ahead of Argentina’s World Cup clash with Austria, transfer speculation was nowhere on the agenda.
Instead, the Chelsea player spoke extensively about Argentina’s ambitions. He also discussed his role under Lionel Scaloni and his admiration for Lionel Messi.
**Enzo focused on Argentina challenge**
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Enzo Fernández believes the current World Cup is proving even more competitive than the tournament Argentina won in Qatar four years ago.
_“The football is becoming more even and this World Cup is more competitive than Qatar,”_ he said.
Argentina opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria. Now they know that a win over Austria would secure their place in the knockout rounds.
Fernández also discussed his tactical role in the national team, explaining that Scaloni asks him to operate alongside Alexis Mac Allister to help control matches and support attacks from midfield.
_“My role is to play alongside Alexis Mac Allister to create play and arrive in the area,”_ he explained.
The midfielder enjoyed another strong season for Chelsea before heading to the World Cup. He finished the 2025-26 campaign with 10 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, continuing the progress that has established him as one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders.
**Lionel Messi remains a special figure**
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One of the more emotional moments of the press conference came when Fernández was asked about Lionel Messi.
Back in 2016, when Messi briefly stepped away from international football, a teenage Fernández shared a message urging him to stay with Argentina. A decade later, after winning major honours alongside him, the Chelsea player admitted his feelings have only grown stronger.
_“I wouldn’t have enough books to write everything I learned from him,”_ Fernández said. _“He’s a great person and a great player.”_
The comments underlined how firmly Fernández’s attention remains on Argentina’s attempt to defend their World Cup crown.
While Real Madrid rumours continue to generate headlines, the Chelsea midfielder gave every indication that transfer talk can wait until after his work with the national team is finished.