Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has hinted that he may feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying he will evaluate his physical condition before making a final decision.
The 37-year-old superstar, who turns 39 next June, remains hopeful of defending Argentina’s title in what could be his sixth appearance at football’s grandest tournament.
Messi still not thinking about retirement
Speaking to NBC News, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he would assess his fitness early next year before committing to the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” Messi said. “I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter Miami and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful — and then make a decision.”
Messi, who recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami until 2028, has shown no signs of slowing down despite a career spanning two decades. His move to the American league in 2023 reinvigorated U.S. football, with attendance and viewership soaring as fans flocked to witness the Argentine great in action.
Chasing another dream
Messi described the prospect of defending Argentina’s 2022 World Cup crown as “spectacular,” calling it a lifelong dream to represent his country again on the world stage.
“We’re coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team,” he said.
Messi’s professional journey began in 2004 when he debuted for Barcelona at just 17 years old. Over two decades, he became one of football’s most decorated players, winning multiple UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles before brief stints at Paris Saint-Germain and now Inter Miami.
While Messi’s club career brought him global fame, international glory eluded him for years until he led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America — his first major international title. That triumph was followed by Argentina’s unforgettable 2022 World Cup win in Qatar, where they beat France 4-2 on penalties in one of the most dramatic finals in history.
“It was the dream of my life,” Messi said of the victory. “It was also true that it was the only thing missing at a professional level because I had been lucky enough to achieve everything else.”
To date, Messi has represented Argentina in 195 international matches, scoring a record 114 goals. Should he take the field in 2026, it would mark his sixth World Cup appearance, further cementing his status as one of the greatest players in football history.
