Lionel Messi sounds ready to make hoisting the World Cup trophy his last important motion associated to such a match.
Per Adriana Garcia of ESPN, Messi addressed presumably collaborating within the 2026 FIFA World Cup whereas talking with Chinese language sports activities outlet Titan Sports activities on Tuesday.
“I believe not,” Messi stated. “[Qatar] was my final World Cup. I will see how issues go, however as it’s proper now, no, I will not go to the subsequent World Cup.”
Messi, Argentina’s captain, guided the nation to World Cup glory through the match held in Qatar this previous fall. As talked about by Ben Miller and Joshua Thomas of Sporting Information, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner made historical past by turning into the primary man to win the Golden Ball as the highest total participant in a World Cup twice for the reason that award was launched in 1982. Messi first earned that honor in 2014.
In line with Chris Burton of Objective, Argentina nationwide coach Lionel Scaloni expressed optimism again in February that Messi might play within the 2026 World Cup that can function matches held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
“We now have the door open for him and if we see no, we’ll search for another,” Scaloni stated at the moment. “I hope he makes it to the subsequent World Cup, I can see him there, however I believe the very first thing is to qualify.”
Messi is getting ready to go away Paris Saint-Germain as soon as his contract expires on the finish of June and is predicted to hitch Main League Soccer and membership Inter Miami. The famous person, who turns 36 years outdated on June 24, theoretically might be used for promotional initiatives heading into the World Cup held in North America, and it is price noting he did not essentially slam the door shut on enjoying in the summertime of 2026.
TalkSport’s Jack Johnson defined in December 2022 how Messi briefly retired from worldwide responsibility again in 2016 earlier than he had second ideas about that call.
