Photo: Marcelo Endelli / Getty Images
Lionel Messi was one of the great figures of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The former FC Barcelona player got the world Cup, the trophy that was missing from its showcases. La Pulga is 36 years old and Argentine fans hope he can lead the Albiceleste in the 2026 World Cup. But the Inter Miami footballer is not so convinced of this.
The former Paris Saint-Germain player left European football to look for a less demanding and stressful destination in the last stage of his career. Even though he now plays in the MLS, Albicleste fans hope to see him in the South American qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup. However, Messi did not leave anything clear regarding his participation.
“I said it, I said it. I don’t know, the truth is that I don’t think about it yet because he is far away. Yes, I think about the Copa América and it is a goal to reach the Copa América well, which just happened to be played here in the United States. It’s going to be nice because we’ve already passed the Centenario match that we played here and it was a very nice Copa América that, well, we lost the final, but we enjoyed the process a lot. Here there are spectacular stadiums, environments, trips, it’s nice. And nothing, then the Copa América will be seen“said Lionel Messi in an interview with Migue Granados.
The next World Cup will begin Thursday June 11, 2026. This World Cup will change its format and will now have 48 teams that will seek the trophy. Lionel Messi would be 39 years old when this championship starts.
“It also depends on how I feel, what we were talking about at the beginning (…) Years have passed and we have to see how I feel. Maybe the league, the rhythm is also another of the games. And nothing, I will live day by day how I feel. And I’m telling you, it’s still three years away.“he added.
When will Lionel Messi retire?
Lionel Messi officially debuted on October 16, 2004. In a few days they will be fulfilled 19 years since the first official match of the historic Argentine soccer player. With hundreds of trophies and countless goals in his personal account already on the horizon, the retirement of the current Inter Miami footballer is palpable. However, Messi prefers to enjoy the present and not think about the day he will hang up his boots.
“And I don’t want to think about it either because I want to continue enjoying what I do.. I took an important step in leaving Europe and coming here now. I don’t want to keep thinking about the next step, but to enjoy as much as I can because what I like is to play“, he concluded.
Keep reading:
· A day with Lionel Messi: the Inter Miami attacker told what he usually does in his new stage in the MLS
· “He didn’t have pants”: Querétaro coach publicly complains to the referee who favored Club América
· Messi and his injury with Inter Miami, what is the Argentine’s condition?
· The controversial video of Neymar Jr. in which he is seen very “affectionate” with a couple of girls weeks after becoming a father