Lionel Messi has expressed hope of representing Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to help the defending champions retain their title when the tournament takes place in North America next summer, despite fitness and age concerns.
Messi, who will be 39 by the time the 2026 World Cup begins, told NBC News that he will evaluate how his body feels before deciding whether to participate in the tournament which will be held across the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.
“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to be there, and be an important part in helping my team defend the title. I’m going to assess that [my fitness] on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter [Miami] and see if I can really be 100 per cent and if I can be useful to the team, and then make a decision,” said the Argentine star.
Having enjoyed a decorated club career, Messi’s international success finally came in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties to win its first trophy since 1986.
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