Lionel Messi has not completely ruled out the possibility of playing at a sixth FIFA World Cup in 2026, though the Argentina great accepts one last Copa America run in 2024 is a more realistic aim.
Messi finally got his hands on the most iconic trophy in world football at the fifth attempt last year, leading Argentina to their third title with a series of mesmerising performances in Qatar.
He won the tournament’s Golden Ball award after scoring seven goals and adding three assists, netting in all but one of Argentina’s seven games including a brace in an all-time classic final against France.
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With the Barcelona icon now 36 and plying his trade in MLS with Inter Miami, the prospect of him helping Argentina defend their title in his new home country appears remote.
Though Messi accepts it is unlikely he will turn out as a 39-year-old in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026, he does not believe it is impossible.
“I’m not thinking about the World Cup and I’m not saying 100 per cent that I won’t be there, because anything can happen,” Messi said in an interview for Disney Star+.
“Given my age, the most normal thing is that I won’t be there. We’ll see. Maybe we do well in the Copa America and we continue, maybe not. Being realistic, it is difficult.
“Becoming world champion changed me, the tranquillity I have in my work… I was able to achieve everything. Getting to achieve what I dreamed of and having nothing left to do, that is the greatest pleasure.”
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Messi’s first major international tournament success came at the 2021 Copa America as Argentina ended a 28-year wait to be crowned South American champions, beating Brazil in the final at the Maracana.
La Albiceleste will defend that title in the USA next year, with the group-stage draw for the tournament due to be held next week. Messi’s current focus is on ensuring he approaches that competition in peak physical condition.
“I said it several times, I will always try to compete to the maximum and I am the first to know when I can be there and when I can’t,” Messi said.
“I am also aware that I went to a minor league, but as long as I feel that I’m fine and I can continue contributing, I’m going to do it.
“Today, the only thing I think about is getting to the Copa America well and being able to compete in it. Fighting for it again like we always have done, trying to be champions.”
Argentina’s back-to-back tournament successes did a great deal to change perceptions of Messi in his home country, where he was maligned for many years due to a lack of international trophies and the fact he left for Europe at a young age.
Messi believes winning over the Argentinian public has been one of his greatest achievements, saying: “I had a bad time. My family and the people who love me did too.
“They [Argentine critics] were very unfair to a generation of players and they said a lot of bad things about me. I’m not spiteful.
“I feel like it was a triumph to change that situation and win over all the people of Argentina. Today, 95 per cent or 100 per cent of Argentines love me and that’s a beautiful feeling.
“The road can be hard, but you have to keep fighting for your dreams to try to achieve them. I always loved playing football, coming to the national team and being on the field, but I never enjoyed it like today.”
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