Argentina will not pressure Lionel Messi regarding his participation in the 2028 Copa América. According to the head of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, the decision will remain exclusively in Messi’s hands.
At 39 years old, Messi has not made any statements about his future with the national team following his outstanding performance in the 2026 World Cup, where he scored eight goals and provided four assists, leading Argentina to the final.
“It is entirely his personal decision,” Tapia remarked to TyC Sports when asked about Messi’s potential participation in the tournament. “I loved watching him play; he was the star of this World Cup, just as he has been in every tournament. It’s important that he feels motivated to continue. Back in 2022, we were uncertain if he’d play in 2026. He approached it ‘one match at a time,’ and we witnessed him at his peak.”
Messi received the title of most valuable player at the 2022 World Cup as he guided his nation to victory. As a two-time Copa América champion (2021 and 2024), he holds the record for most appearances for Argentina with 207 caps and is the all-time leading scorer with 125 goals over 21 years with La Albiceleste.
“We need to be proud of him,” Tapia said about the Inter Miami captain. “May he keep enjoying playing, and we hope to continue enjoying watching him. He should make the choices he deems best.”
Meanwhile, Tapia is trying to persuade coach Lionel Scaloni to stay on as head coach of Argentina. Scaloni’s contract ends this year, and following a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, he mentioned he would assess his future.
“Scaloni is my plan A, B, and C,” Tapia stated. “We all want him to continue. I must respect his decision, allowing him the space to reflect and choose what he believes is best. I can’t keep him if he feels he lacks the motivation or sees no clear path for further successes.”
At 48, Scaloni is the most successful coach in Argentina’s history. Initially appointed as interim manager in 2018, he led the team to three major international victories in succession: the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América.
Tapia praised the national team and acknowledged how it once again united the Argentine population during the World Cup.
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“This is the greatest national team of all time,” Tapia emphasized. “The team has spread joy across all of Argentina and allowed people to identify with a united front.”