Superstar footballer, Lionel Messi, has expressed a strong desire to represent Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking with NBC News’ Tom Llamas, Messi said he will see how his body feels next year before choosing whether to play.
“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” Messi said, though he admitted his age — he will be 39 next June — is a factor.
Messi added: “I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my national team, if I am there. And I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter [Miami] and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful to the group, to the national team, and then make a decision.
Messi, who has been playing professionally since 2004, wants the chance for one more star turn on football’s biggest stage.
Obviously, I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last World Cup, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions.”
Messi, who debuted with Barcelona in La Liga at age 17, joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and moved to MLS in 2023.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
