Lionel Messi: Most Logical Thing Is I Won\'t Play In 2026 World Cup
Lionel Messi scored two goals in Argentina\'s 3-0 win over Venezuela on Thursday. The match is likely Messi\'s final one on his home soil for his national team. Messi\'s status for the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain, but he cast doubt on the possibility with his post-match comments.
“Same as I said before about the World Cup that I don’t think I’ll play another,” Messi told TyC Sports, as reported by PA Media. “Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it.
“But well, we’re almost there so I’m excited and motivated to play it. Like I always say, I go day by day, match by match, trying to feel good and above all, being honest with myself.
“When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good. So we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup.
“I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have pre-season, and there will be six months left. So we’ll see how I feel.
“Hopefully I’ll have a good pre-season in 2026, finish this MLS season well and then I’ll decide.”
Messi previously indicated in 2022 that the World Cup in Qatar, won by Argentina, would be the last of his career.