Lionel Messi won’t close door on playing in 2026 World Cup with Argentina

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Although Lionel Messi previously stated that the 2022 World Cup would be his last, he hinted at the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina during an extensive interview with Infobae.co published on Friday.

Messi, who will turn 37 on June 24, is set to captain the defending champions of the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup again this summer, in what could be his final major tournament for his beloved home country.

By the time the next World Cup rolls around, Messi will be 39. Soccer fans worldwide, especially in Argentina, are eager to know if he will compete again when the tournament is hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“It depends on how I feel, how I am physically, and being realistic with myself. I need to know if I am capable of competing and helping my teammates,” said Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

“There’s a lot of time left, and I don’t know how I’ll feel at that moment,” he added. “Age is a reality, and while it’s just a number, the games I play now aren’t the same as those I played in Europe, where I competed every three days in the Champions League or domestic leagues in France and Spain. It depends on how I feel alongside my teammates and whether I am still up to the task.”

Messi described his life after the World Cup win in Qatar as one of “tranquility” and mentioned that he still hasn’t watched a full replay of the victory against France, only snippets and highlights.

“My memories are vivid, and I live with them as they are. I remember what I remember. There are many things I don’t recall, but for now, I’m holding onto what I have without revisiting the whole game,” Messi said. “I’ve watched replays of several plays, but not the entire match, extra time, or penalties.”

During the interview, Messi touched on several topics, including his late grandmother, his family’s adjustment to life in the United States since their move to South Florida last July, his skepticism about his former Barcelona teammate Neymar joining him at Inter Miami, and his outlook on soccer post-World Cup victory.

“Winning the World Cup and achieving all our goals with the national team allows you to live differently, with a sense of tranquility,” Messi reflected.

Messi and Argentina will headline the Copa América opener against Canada in Atlanta on June 20. They will face Chile at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 25, and Peru at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on June 29. The final is scheduled for July 14 in Miami.

Before the Copa América, Messi and Argentina will play two friendlies, first against Ecuador at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, followed by a match against Guatemala at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland, on June 14.

Argentina has been training in South Florida in preparation for the Copa América, utilizing Inter Miami’s facilities, where Messi has been based for nearly a year since joining Major League Soccer.

When asked about Argentina’s prospects in the tournament, Messi responded:

“I think Argentina is always a favorite, not just because we’ve recently won everything. Even before achieving our goals, Argentina was always considered a favorite,” Messi said. “Whenever a championship begins, whether it’s the World Cup, Copa América, or any other, Argentina is a contender alongside Brazil. South American teams are very strong right now. Uruguay, Colombia, and Ecuador are all very good. It’s challenging to play all these games, but I think this Copa América will be very competitive.”