Lionel Messi, still chasing international glory nearly two decades into his career, says he hopes to play in the 2026 World Cup in North America, acknowledging that his age and fitness will determine his role in Argentina’s 2022 title defense.
The Argentine great recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami until 2028, indicating that he is not yet considering retirement despite turning 39 next June.
Speaking to NBC News, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he will take time next year to evaluate his physical condition before deciding whether to play in the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“It is something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup and I would love it,” said the Argentine captain in the interview broadcast on Monday.
“I would like to be there, be well and be an important part of helping my team, if I am there. I am going to evaluate it on a day-to-day basis when the preseason starts next year with Inter (and see if I can really be at 100%, if I can be useful and then make a decision).
“I’m really looking forward to it because it’s a World Cup. We’ve just won the last one and being able to defend it again on the field is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play for 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 joining Inter Miami in 2023. He sparked new interest in the American league at a critical time for the sport in North America ahead of hosting next year’s World Cup.
While Messi has racked up countless individual and club accolades, international success had eluded him 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 victory.
“It was also true that it was the only thing missing on a professional level because I had been lucky enough to have achieved everything on an individual level, on a team level with Barcelona, and I think that is the dream of every player. When you ask a player what his dream is, it is to be world champion.”
Messi has played 195 games and scored a record 114 goals for his country. A return for the 2026 World Cup would mark his sixth appearance in the tournament.
