Lionel Messi acknowledged wellness elements will dictate his position in defending Argentina’s 2022 World Cup title subsequent 12 months.
Revealed On 28 Oct 2025
Lionel Messi, nonetheless chasing worldwide glory practically 20 years into his profession, says he hopes to play on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, acknowledging his age and health will dictate his position in defending Argentina’s 2022 title.
The Argentinian nice just lately prolonged his contract with Main League Soccer (MLS) aspect Inter Miami by way of 2028, signalling he isn’t but contemplating retirement regardless of turning 39 subsequent June.
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Talking to NBC Information, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stated he’ll take time subsequent 12 months to evaluate his bodily situation earlier than deciding whether or not to play within the match throughout america, Mexico and Canada.
“It’s one thing extraordinary to have the ability to be in a World Cup, and I’d like to,” the Argentinian captain stated within the interview launched on Monday.
“I want to be there, to be nicely, and be an necessary a part of serving to my workforce, if I’m there. I’m going to evaluate that on a day-to-day foundation once I begin preseason subsequent 12 months with Inter, and see if I can actually be 100%, if I could be helpful, after which decide.
“I’m actually keen as a result of it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off successful the final one, and having the ability to defend it on the sphere once more is spectacular, as a result of it’s all the time a dream to play with the nationwide workforce.”
Messi has loved knowledgeable profession spanning greater than 20 years, debuting for Barcelona at simply 17 in 2004, earlier than taking part in for Paris St Germain and becoming a member of Inter Miami in 2023. He sparked recent curiosity within the American league in a crucial second for the game in North America forward of internet hosting subsequent 12 months’s World Cup.
Whereas Messi has amassed numerous membership and particular person accolades, worldwide success had eluded him till claiming the Copa America 2021 earlier than beating France 4-2 on penalties to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
“It was the dream of my life,” Messi stated of the victory.
“It was additionally true that it was the one factor lacking at knowledgeable stage as a result of I had been fortunate sufficient to have achieved all the things at a person stage, at a workforce stage with Barcelona, and I believe that’s each participant’s dream. Whenever you ask a participant what their dream is, it’s to be world champion.”
Messi has performed in 195 matches and scored a file 114 objectives for his nation. A return for the 2026 World Cup would mark his sixth look within the match.
