Lionel Messi is not ruling out playing in World Cup 2026. The football star will be 38 when the next World Cup starts in 2026, and will even turn 39 during the tournament. The tournament will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Despite saying that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would be his last, Messi has not yet retired from international football. He will represent Argentina as they defend their Copa America title this summer in the U.S.
His teammate, Alexis Mac Allister, has revealed that the rest of the Argentina squad has urged Messi to stay on for the World Cup in 2026. In an interview with InfoBae, Messi mentioned that he has not made a decision regarding his participation in the tournament. He stated that it depends on how he feels physically and whether he is at a competitive level to help his teammates.
Messi also mentioned that age is a reality, and his club games will not be the same as when he played in European competitions. Despite his achievements in the 2022 World Cup, Messi revealed that he has never watched the final match. He explained that watching his own games makes him feel embarrassed, and he prefers to rely on his memories of the match without going back to watch it.
Having made his debut for Argentina in 2005, Messi has scored 106 goals in 180 international caps. His legacy in football continues to grow, and fans eagerly anticipate his decision regarding the World Cup 2026.