Argentina star Lionel Messi focused on Copa America title defence, hints desire to play 2026 World Cup
Argentina’s legend Lionel Messi has expressed his desire to compete in the 2026 World Cup.
Which will be held in the United States and Mexico, but admits he would prioritise the Copa America first. The 36-year-old claimed earlier this year that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he guided Argentina to their third World Cup championship, will most likely be his final. He is no longer ruling out playing in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and he is having the time of his life with Argentina.
“As long as I feel good and I can continue to deliver, I’m going to do it (continue playing with Argentina). All I’m thinking about today is getting to the Copa America and being able to play in it,” Messi told ESPN. “Then time will tell whether I’ll be at the World Cup or not. I’m going to be at an age (39) that normally doesn’t allow me to play in the World Cup.”It seemed that after the 2022 World Cup I was retiring, now I want to be with the team more than ever. We are experiencing a special moment, I want to enjoy it to the fullest, without thinking two or three years ahead, which in football is a lot.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner recalls the previous time the Copa América was hosted on American territory, in 2016, when Argentina reached the final but lost on penalties to Chile. Argentina had lost three consecutive finals with Messi as captain, after the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 Copa América, before he led the team to the continental crown in 2021. The South Americans then defeated Italy in the 2022 Finalissima before defeating France on penalties in the World Cup final last year.
“Maybe we’ll do well in the Copa America and everything will work out for me to continue. Maybe not. It’s hard. Being a world champion changed me in the peace of mind knowing that, in my job, I could achieve everything,” Messi added. The Copa America will feature six guest teams from the CONCACAF region, including the US and Mexico. Argentina will discover their opponents when the draw is made on December 7.