Lionel Messi hints at potential absence from next summer’s World Cup
Lionel Messi has suggested that he might miss the upcoming World Cup in 2026, indicating he could be watching from the stands rather than participating as Argentina’s defending champion, reports BritPanorama.
The acclaimed forward, who will turn 39 in June, conveyed his eagerness to compete while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding his selection for the tournament.
In an interview, Messi stated, “I hope I can be there. I’ve said before that I’d love to be there. At worst, I’ll be there watching it live, but it will be special.”
Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, emphasized that he does not wish to hinder his national team’s progress. He expressed concerns regarding his physical fitness given the differing schedules between Major League Soccer and European competitions. The upcoming American season will wrap up shortly, but will not resume until late February, raising questions about his readiness for World Cup performance.
“Our season is different from the European one,” he explained to Spanish publication SPORT. “We’ll have a pre-season in between, with few matches leading up to the World Cup, and we’ll see how things go day by day to see if I really feel physically fit enough to be where I’d like to be and be able to participate.”
Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, is already mapping out the team’s transition away from the legendary player. While Messi was included in the latest squad, Scaloni acknowledged a significant evolution within the team over recent years.
Scaloni remarked, “The team is now in a moment where it can play in the same way with Leo or without Leo, which used to be more complex in the past as we had to change some players.” This commentary indicates a shift for a team that had historically been heavily reliant on Messi, who has netted 114 goals in 195 international appearances.
Regardless of his uncertain involvement, Messi praised Argentina’s current team structure and their prospects for a successful title defence following their World Cup victory in Qatar. He noted, “The truth is we have extraordinary players, and it’s been shown for years – especially the desire and excitement since Scaloni took over.”
Messi added, “It’s a squad full of winners, with strong mindsets, who want to win more, and that’s contagious.” He stressed that Argentina must capitalize on their momentum, stating, “Coming off winning the World Cup gives you confidence and relief to prepare competitions differently.”
