Lionel Messi New Jersey: A Hint at Future World Cup 2026 Participation?

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami’s frontman, stirred speculations with his recent Instagram post where he was seen sporting the emblematic Argentina jersey famously worn by Diego Maradona during his last appearance in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. This subtle gesture has incited discussions surrounding Messi’s potential participation in future World Cup events.

The 36-year-old soccer icon, who victoriously claimed his first World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022, previously expressed that he doesn’t intend to partake in subsequent World Cups. However, Messi left a glimmer of hope in a recent interview with Titan Sports before Argentina’s friendly match against Australia in Beijing.

Messi stated when asked about his future World Cup involvement, “I think not. This was my last World Cup.” He followed it up with a hint of ambiguity, adding, “I’ll see how things go, but in principle, I won’t go to the next World Cup.”

A Poetic Possibility: Messi’s Final World Cup on American Soil

Given Messi’s current stature as a top-performing MLS player, the prospect of him joining Argentina for one “last dance” at the World Cup would carry a poetic resonance.

Should Messi decide to partake in the World Cup in 2026, he would be 39 years old, making the tournament his sixth World Cup appearance. Interestingly, the World Cup of 2026 is set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, giving Messi a chance to play on American soil for the second time in his career.

Fueling this speculation further, Messi’s Instagram post featured him in the full 1994 Argentina kit, complete with the iconic number 10 on the back. This act seems like a hint towards concluding his international career on American soil, mirroring Maradona’s last World Cup journey.

While his previously announced retirement from international soccer in 2016 was brief, resulting in a triumphant return to lift the coveted World Cup trophy, Messi’s future intentions remain open to interpretation. His current stellar performance in the MLS adds more intrigue to this ongoing narrative.