Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi recently told ESPN that there is a possibility he may not participate in the 2026 World Cup, even though he still hopes to be part of it.
In a comprehensive interview, Messi took the time to commend his former coach Pep Guardiola, discuss Argentina‘s prospects in the World Cup, and talk about Inter Miami‘s upcoming MLS Cup final.
When queried about the prospect of missing the World Cup, he expressed his desire to compete but remained noncommittal about his participation.
The 38-year-old has previously mentioned that he will continue to play as long as his body permits.
“I hope to be there. I’ve mentioned before how much I’d love to participate,” Messi stated, adding, “At the very least, I’ll be watching live, which will be a special experience.”
He continued, “The World Cup means a lot to everyone, regardless of the country—especially for us since it resonates in a profoundly unique way.”
Messi achieved the final major accolade he was missing when he led Argentina to victory in the last men’s World Cup held in Qatar in 2022.
He will be 39 by the time the tournament takes place next summer.
“We have remarkable players, and this has been evident for years—especially the enthusiasm and passion that grew after [Lionel] Scaloni took charge,” Messi noted.
“The mentality within the group is extraordinary. It’s a team of winners, filled with strong-willed players who thirst for more victories, and that’s infectious. You can see it in training and during matches. They give their all during every workout.”
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“We’re an incredible group that gets along exceptionally well; however, during practice matches or specific drills, we don’t hold back. Everyone pushes themselves to the maximum, which is a tremendous asset for this team and the national squad.”
“Scaloni and his staff have cultivated this environment. The daily atmosphere is a result of their leadership.”
“New talents keep emerging; along with the established players, fresh faces are consistently joining. When a team operates like this, it becomes much easier for newcomers to integrate.”
“Argentina must seize this moment. Coming off a World Cup triumph instills confidence and allows for a different approach to preparing for competitions.”
Argentina will be placed in Pot 1 for the World Cup draw scheduled for Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.