In a candid and wide-ranging interview with ESPN, the legendary Argentine captain revealed he is still uncertain about participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite his deep desire to represent Argentina one more time on the grandest stage.
Set to turn 39 years old in June 2026, Messi expressed a mix of hope and realism: “I hope I can be there. I’ve said before that I really want to be there. At worst, I’ll be there watching, but it would still be something special.”
The interview, which covered everything from Inter Miami’s journey to the MLS Cup Final to praise for former coach Pep Guardiola, has fans globally anxiously speculating about whether the 2022 World Cup champion will take the pitch in North America in 2026.
For Messi, the World Cup holds unparalleled emotional weight: “The World Cup is special for everyone, for every country—especially for us, because we live it in a completely different way.”
Having won it all in Qatar 2022, Messi already completed his footballing dream by leading La Albiceleste to victory in what many consider one of the greatest finals in history. Yet, the hunger for one final dance with the national team remains strong—not just for Messi, but for fans yearning to witness history again.
Discussing Argentina’s current form, the captain was full of praise: “We have extraordinary players… This is a team full of winners, with a strong mentality, people who want to win more trophies.” He described the team dynamic as energetic and unified: “We are a great group that gets along very well… Everyone gives their all, and that’s a big strength of this team.”
Messi credited coach Lionel Scaloni and his staff for fostering Argentina’s winning spirit: “Scaloni and his assistants built all of this… Argentina must take advantage of this moment.”
Argentina is set to be a top seed in the World Cup 2026 draw, taking place soon at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. As speculation mounts about Messi’s presence, the anticipation for the upcoming tournament intensifies.
Whether he leads from the pitch or watches from the stands, the world hopes this won’t be Messi’s final bow—but if it is, it promises to be unforgettable.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
You must be logged in to post a comment.