Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has suggested that he might take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though he said his final decision will depend on his physical condition closer to the tournament. The 37-year-old forward, who will turn 39 next June, said he remains hopeful of representing Argentina again in what could be his sixth and final World Cup appearance.
Speaking to NBC News, Messi said he plans to evaluate his fitness early next year before deciding. “It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” he said. “I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter Miami and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful, and then make a decision.”
Messi, who recently extended his contract with Inter Miami until 2028, has continued to perform at a high level in Major League Soccer. Since joining the American League in 2023, he has played a major role in boosting football’s popularity in the United States, with stadium attendance and TV ratings reaching new highs.
The Argentine star said that defending the 2022 World Cup title would be “spectacular” and that representing his country again remains a dream. “We’re coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team,” Messi added.
Messi made his professional debut for Barcelona in 2004 and went on to become one of the greatest players in football history. During his 17-year spell with the Spanish club, he won numerous La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and later to Inter Miami.
On the international stage, Messi achieved long-awaited glory by leading Argentina to the 2021 Copa America title, his first major trophy with the national team, followed by the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar. Argentina defeated France in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their third World Cup title, with Messi playing a pivotal role throughout the tournament.
Calling the World Cup win “the dream of my life,” Messi said it was the final missing piece in his legendary career. To date, he has played 195 matches for Argentina and scored 114 goals, making him the country’s all-time top scorer.
If Messi does play in the 2026 World Cup, he would set another record by appearing in six editions of the tournament, further cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen.
