Inter Miami striker Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 next June, has expressed his strong desire to play for Argentina as they defend their World Cup title in the 2026 tournament (co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada).
However, the 38-year-old superstar and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed in a recent interview with NBC News that his participation is not guaranteed. He stated he will “see next year how his body feels” before making a definitive decision.
Messi stressed that playing in the World Cup is a profound honor, and he would only want to participate if he could “be well and be an important part of helping my national team.” To gauge this, he plans to assess his fitness daily when he starts pre-season with Inter Miami next year.
His ultimate goal is to determine if he can “really be 100%” and “be useful to the group, to the national team,” before committing to the tournament.
The star, who debuted professionally with Barcelona at age 17 before his moves to PSG and MLS, remains enthusiastic about the possibility of playing in one last major tournament.
Messi closed by emphasizing the unique honor of representing his country, stating that defending the title is “spectacular” and that it is “always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions.”
The Argentine star currently holds the national record with 195 appearances and 114 goals. Regarding his life outside the pitch, Messi expressed deep satisfaction with living in Miami, calling it a city that allows him and his family to “live very well,” “enjoy life,” and “be calm.”
