Lionel Messi doesn't discard playing the 2026 World Cup: 'I want to be here more than ever' (2024)
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By the time the 2026 World Cup happens in Canada, Mexico and the United States,Lionel Messi will turn 39 years old. In any other footballer's lifespan as a professional, they mostly tend to retire at 35 or 36 years old. Some even retire much earlier than that, but Messi was so thirsty for this success that he truly feels like this is a dream and he doesn't want to wake up from it. Now that the majority of people in Argentina love him after winning the trophy, all he cares about is staying active until he truly can't keep playing anymore. Next summer's Copa America in the United States is as far as Messi can see right now, he is getting ready to defend the title his side won in 2021. Leo will turn 37 when that happens but a recent interview gave Argentineans hope that they might have him in the next World Cup as well.
Messi flirts with the idea of playing the 2026 World Cup
It is only natural that every single Argentine journalist tries to convince Leo Messi that playing the 2026 World Cup is in his best interest. Messi just gave an interview to ESPN Argentina, where he discussed his present with the national team and the uncertain future. Although he did leave the door open for a potential World Cup participation, it will all depend on one specific thing. As long as he stays healthy and the group is still hungry for more trophies, Messi will keep representing his country. The upcoming Copa America will be a perfect way for him to measure whether this group is still willing to keep going to war with him and leave it all in the battlefield.
¡LA RESPUESTA QUE TODOS QUIEREN CONOCER! ¿Jugás el Mundial 2026, Leo? Messi, 100% sincero sobre lo que será su futuro en la Selección argentina.
Here's what Messi said during an interview on ESPN's strwaming channel, Star Plus: "I will always try to compete to the fullest. I'm the first one who knows when I can and can't compete. I'm also aware I left to a lesser competition but much of this is also personal and how you confront these competitive challenges. As long as I feel fit and I am able to contribute, I will keep coming. Right now, all I can think about is getting to the Copa America in great condition and play it. fight for the title again as we always did, and try to become champions again. Only time will tell if I make the World Cup or not. Normally, footballers don't play World Cups at that age (39). That's why I said I didn't think I would make it.
"It seemed I would retire after the last World Cup but the exact opposite happened. Now I want to be here more than ever. After suffering so many years, today we are enjoying a moment I had never lived before and I want to live it to the fullest. I feel great with this group and I want to enjoy without thinking two or three years ahead. I don't want to think about the World Cup but I also can't say 100% that I won't be there because anything can happen. Due to my age, the normal thing is for me to not make it. But we will see how far I can get. If we do well in Copa America and I can continue playing, maybe it happens. But I have to keep it real, it will be difficult."
Leo Messi talks about the World Cup 2026
"Now I want to be here more than ever because after having spent so many years suffering, today we are experiencing a special moment that I have never experienced with the Argentine national team.
By the time the 2026 World Cup happens in Canada, Mexico and the United States,Lionel Messi will turn 39 years old. In any other footballer's lifespan as a professional, they mostly tend to retire at 35 or 36 years old.
Neymar will be 34 by the time the next World Cup roles around in Canada, Mexico and the United States. That beautiful golden trophy is one of the few missing from his impressive CV, but Brazil won't have any chance of lifting their sixth global title if he is still in the starting XI by then.
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Neymar has hinted that he will prolong his international career with Brazil through to the 2026 World Cup, with Lionel Messi serving as inspiration. WHAT HAPPENED? The 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward had suggested prior to the 2022 finals in Qatar that he was preparing to bid farewell to FIFA's flagship event.
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The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament will be the first hosted by three nations and the first North American World Cup since 1994. Argentina is the defending champion.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi announced Tuesday he has no plans to play in the 2026 World Cup. Messi, 35, led Argentina to glory last year in Qatar in what was his fifth World Cup appearance.
Lionel Messi says he will call time on his football career when he no longer enjoys playing. Messi, 36, has a contract with Inter Miami — for whom he has scored 16 goals in 19 first-team appearances since his move from Paris Saint-Germain a year ago — through to the end of 2025.
It brought an end to a 36-year wait for World Cup glory, with Argentina previously suffering defeats at the final hurdle in 1990 and 2014 – the latter of which saw Messi on the losing side.
Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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