Lionel Messi hopes to play for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup if fit soon.
He will decide after checking his fitness and performance next year with Inter Miami carefully.
Lionel Messi has said he wants to play for Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although he admitted his final decision will depend on his fitness level next year.
The Inter Miami star led Argentina to their third World Cup title in 2022, and he is hoping to help the team defend the trophy when the next edition begins in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Messi will be 39 by the time the tournament gets underway, which makes his health the biggest factor in the decision.
Speaking in an interview with NBC News, the eight time Ballon d’Or winner explained that he will wait until next year before committing. He said he plans to “see how his body feels” once he returns for pre season with Inter Miami and then decide if he can compete at the highest level again.
Messi said playing in the World Cup is a special honor and he would love to be there as long as he remains strong enough to help his team. According to him, the target is to make sure he can still be “100 percent” and useful to the group.
He called the opportunity to defend the title a huge motivation, adding that playing for Argentina is always a dream. Messi currently holds the record for most appearances and most goals in the history of the national team, with 195 caps and 114 goals.
