Argentina soccer celebrity Lionel Messi has mentioned he hopes to play on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although acknowledges that his well being will dictate his position within the competitors.
In an interview with NBC News, the 38-year-old hinted at enjoying in soccer’s largest competitors subsequent 12 months, which is able to happen subsequent summer season throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“I am going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start the preseason next year with Inter (Miami) and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful to the group, to the national team, and then make a decision,” mentioned the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“I’m really eager because it’s the World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last World Cup and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions, so hopefully God will allow me to do it once again.”
After qualifying for subsequent 12 months’s World Cup through the September worldwide window, Messi told the media that he would wait to decide concerning his participation in subsequent 12 months’s competitors.
“Same as I said before about the World Cup that I don’t think I’ll play another. Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it,” the previous Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star advised reporters after a 3-0 victory over Venezuela.
“But nicely, we’re nearly there, so I’m excited and motivated to play it. Like I all the time say, I’m going day-to-day, going by how I really feel.
“I’m trying to feel good and, above all, being honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good. So we’ll see.”
Although his membership profession is vastly embellished – notably after a trophy-laden spell at Barça – worldwide success had eluded Messi up till 2021 when he claimed the Copa América and in 2022, when he captained the Albiceleste to its first World Cup victory since 1986 after an exciting ultimate towards France in Qatar.
The former Blaugrana standout scored twice within the 2022 ultimate in addition to netting his penalty within the shootout on his approach to lifting soccer’s most prestigious trophy.
“It was the dream of my life,” Messi mentioned of the triumph.
“It was additionally true that it was the one factor lacking at knowledgeable degree as a result of I had been fortunate sufficient to have achieved all the pieces at a person degree, at a staff degree with Barcelona, and I believe that’s each participant’s dream.
“When you ask a player what their dream is, it’s to be world champion.”
The Argentine has scored 114 objectives for his nation since making his debut in 2005. A return on the 2026 World Cup would mark his sixth look within the match.