Lionel Messi, still chasing international glory almost two decades into his career, says he hopes to play at the 2026 World Cup in North America, acknowledging that his age and fitness will dictate his role in Argentina’s 2022 title defence.
The Argentine great recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami through 2028, signaling that he is not yet considering retirement despite turning 39 in June.
Speaking to NBC News, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said next year he will take time to assess his physical condition before deciding whether to play in the tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup and I would love that,” the Argentina captain said in the interview published on Monday.
“I want to be there, feel good and be an important part of helping my team if I’m there. I’m going to assess it on a daily basis when I start the preseason next year with Inter (and see) if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful, and then make a decision.”
“I’m really excited because it’s a World Cup. We’re about to win the last one and to be able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team.”
Messi has enjoyed a professional career spanning more than 20 years, making his debut for Barcelona aged just 17 in 2004 before playing for Paris St. Germain and joined Inter Miami in 2023. He sparked fresh interest in the American league at a critical moment for the sport in North America ahead of hosting next year’s World Cup.
While Messi has collected countless club and individual accolades, he had eluded international success until winning the 2021 Copa America before beating France 4-2 on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“It was the dream of my life,” Messi said of the win.
“It was also true that it was the only thing that was missing at the professional level because I had been lucky enough to have achieved everything at an individual level, at a team level with Barcelona and I think that is every player’s dream. When you ask a player what their dream is, it is to become a world champion.”
Messi has played in 195 matches and scored a record 114 goals for his country. A return to the 2026 World Cup would mark his sixth appearance at the tournament.
