Lionel Messi, the football maestro who recently clinched his eighth Ballon d’Or, is not entirely ruling out the possibility of vying for another shot at World Cup glory with Argentina in 2026. While Messi acknowledged the ticking clock due to his age, he expressed openness to the idea during an interview with Argentina’s Star+.
The 36-year-old football icon, who secured the World Cup for Argentina nearly a year ago in a spectacular final against France in Doha, had initially hinted that the tournament in Qatar might mark his farewell to World Cup competitions. However, Messi’s recent move to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami and his continued participation in national team qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup indicate a potential reconsideration.
“I’m not thinking about the World Cup and I’m not saying 100 percent that I won’t be there because anything can happen. Because of my age, the most normal thing is that I won’t be there. Then we’ll see,” Messi remarked in the interview.
Messi emphasized his current focus on the upcoming Copa America scheduled for June in the United States, underlining the unpredictable nature of future decisions. “Maybe we’ll do well at the Copa America and everything will work out for us to continue. Maybe not. Realistically it’s difficult,” he stated, referring to the challenging prospect of a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance.
The Argentina captain, cognizant of the evolving dynamics of his career, noted, “I’m going to arrive at an age that, normally, doesn’t allow me to play in the World Cup. I said I don’t think I’m going to be there. It looked like after the World Cup I was retiring and it was the opposite. Now I want to be there more than ever.”
Messi acknowledged the shift to a comparatively lesser league but emphasized that his decision hinges on personal considerations, competitiveness, and his ability to contribute effectively on the field. As he navigates this pivotal phase of his illustrious career, Messi’s determination to focus on immediate goals, starting with the Copa America, remains steadfast, leaving the door ajar for a potential World Cup encore in 2026.
