Lionel Messi confirmed that he intends to compete in the next World Cup, which will be held in 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, in an interview with the Catalan newspaper Sport, Argentina’s number 10 made it clear that he does not want to become a problem for the team due to his physical conditioning.
Messi stated that playing in a World Cup with the team again is something “very special”, especially after the title in 2022. According to the Inter Miami star, wearing the Argentina shirt in official competitions continues to be one of the greatest prides of his career.
He highlighted the symbolic value of the tournament, highlighting that he perfectly understands the dimension that a World Cup represents for football and for the Argentine people.
— But it’s like I’m saying: I don’t want to be a burden, in inverted commas, on the team. I want to feel good physically and be sure that I can help and contribute to the group, to the squad — said Messi.
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Can Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?
Despite his excitement about the possibility of participating in the World Cup, Messi confessed to being afraid of arriving at the tournament without being in the best physical condition. He explained that he wants to maintain a competitive level that allows him to be useful to the team.
— Our season (at Inter Miami) is different from Europe. We will have a pre-season in the middle and a few matches before the World Cup. I want to see if, on a day-to-day basis, I will really feel physically well enough to be how I would like to be and be able to participate — he pondered.
The season in the United States has a long break and a different rhythm, which can make it difficult to maintain ideal physical shape before competing in the World Cup.
Messi also explained that he intends to observe how he feels throughout the competitions and during training, to decide whether he will be ready to participate. “I want to be sure that I can help and contribute to the group,” he said.
Messi’s performance at Inter Miami
Even at 38 years old, Lionel Messi is having a great time at Inter Miami, a club he has defended since 2023. In the current season, the Argentine has 42 goals and 20 assists in 46 matches.
Furthermore, the captain normally participates in the Argentine national team’s games, both in World Cup qualifiers and in international friendlies.
Messi’s numbers with Inter Miami
- 3 seasons (2023 to 2025)
- 85 games
- 76 goals
- 38 assists
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