Despite stating that his participation will depend on “many things,” Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, has left open the possibility of competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Paris Saint-Germain forward previously announced his retirement from football’s premier competition after the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Messi has since reevaluated whether or not he will participate in a sixth World Cup following Argentina’s successful campaign, in which he scored seven goals and was named the competition’s best player. Throughout the World Cup competition in the US, Canada, and Mexico, Messi will turn 39.
What did Lionel Messi say?
“I don’t know, I always said that due to age it seems to me that it will be very difficult to make it to 2026,” the 35-year-old told Argentine sports daily Ole.
“I love playing football, I love what I do and as long as I’m good and feel fit and continue to enjoy it, I’m going to do it. But it seems like a lot to go until the next World Cup. I’m going to see where my career is going, what I am going to do and it depends on many things.”
“Achieving it at the end of my career was amazing,” Messi said. “If it had happened earlier, it would have been great too, obviously. But then you have your whole career ahead of you. My career has almost ended and I don’t think there’s a better way to finish than that.” Read More: Kylian Mbappe set to miss PSG-Bayern Munich Champions League Clash
The No. 10 jersey will be kept for Messi for as long as he wants to continue playing, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni told reporters in December of last year. After Argentina defeated France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final on December 18 in Lusail, Messi claimed he was still experiencing a high.
Less than 18 months prior, the Albiceleste defeated Brazil in the Copa America final to win the team’s first significant trophy since the Copa America of 1993.
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