Lionel Messi has expressed his strong desire to play for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, noting the opportunity to defend the country’s title as “exceptional.” While the renowned forward remains driven to compete at the highest level, he recognizes that his age and physical condition will influence his decision leading up to the tournament. The continuation of Messi’s involvement with the national team will hinge on his ability to sustain peak performance as he nears his 39th birthday in June 2026.
During a recent interview, Messi underscored that his participation in the World Cup will be evaluated on a flexible basis, indicating that he will assess his readiness “day by day.” He stressed the importance of being fully prepared and valuable to Argentina before committing to the squad for the competition in North America.
Despite being older, Messi has not contemplated retiring in the immediate future. Demonstrating his commitment to staying active in the sport, he recently prolonged his contract with Inter Miami through 2028.
“It’s an extraordinary experience to be part of a World Cup, and I would love to,” stated the Argentine captain during an interview released by NBC on Monday. “I hope to be present, in good shape, and to play a significant role in supporting my team, if I am included. I will assess this on a daily basis when I begin preseason next year with Inter, to ensure that I can truly be at 100% and beneficial before making a decision.”
Expressing his career milestones, Messi emphasized the importance of Argentina’s victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, describing it as “the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.” The triumph at the 2021 Copa America marked another significant achievement for Messi, ending his international trophy drought and laying the groundwork for Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
“The World Cup victory was the realization of my lifelong dream,” Messi remarked. “It was the only missing piece at a professional level, having achieved everything individually and as a team with Barcelona. I believe this is every player’s aspiration. When you ask a player about their dream, it is to become a world champion.”
A potential appearance at the 2026 World Cup would see Messi participating in his sixth tournament, further solidifying his record.