Lionel Messi is not ready to close the book on his international career. The Argentine superstar has expressed his hope of playing in the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The 2026 tournament would be his sixth World Cup appearance. However, the 36-year-old acknowledges that his age and physical condition will be the deciding factors.
Messi recently signed a contract with Inter Miami that runs through 2028. This signals his intention to continue playing at a high level.
In an interview, Messi said he will take his time before committing to the 2026 tournament. He plans to assess his body during the next preseason with Inter Miami.
His goal is to ensure he can be a useful and important part of the team, not just a participant. “I would love to be there,” Messi stated, emphasising it would be “something extraordinary.”
Read: Lionel Messi Signs New Contract with Inter Miami Until 2028
For Messi, the chance to defend the World Cup title is a powerful motivation. Argentina won the 2022 tournament in Qatar, fulfilling Messi’s lifelong dream.
He described the 2022 victory as the only major trophy missing from his incredible career. Winning it was a dream shared by every professional player.
Now, the opportunity to defend that title on the field is a spectacular prospect. It continues his deep connection with the Argentine national team, for which he has scored a record 114 goals.
