Argentine football star Lionel Messi has hinted at the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup, though he acknowledges the challenge of doing so at the age of 39. Speaking to Star+, Messi expressed uncertainty about his participation, stating, “I don’t think about the World Cup, and I don’t say 100% that I won’t be there because anything can happen.
Due to my age, it’s more likely that I won’t be. We’ll see.” Messi, who is 36, emphasized the difficulty of playing in a sixth consecutive World Cup, saying, “Being realistic, it’s tough.” Despite winning the title in Qatar in 2022, he remains pragmatic about the future.
Messi played his last match for the Argentine national team in the North American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on November 21, securing a 1-0 victory against Brazil at Maracanã. Reflecting on his career choices, Messi, now with Inter Miami in the MLS, acknowledged personal factors in decision-making.
He stated, “While I feel good and can continue contributing, I will. Right now, my focus is solely on arriving in good shape for the Copa America.” Messi, who won the tournament in Brazil in 2021, admitted that playing in the 2026 World Cup seems unlikely given his age but emphasized that time will determine his decision.