La Pulga made it clear that “age is a reality that is there” and assured that his participation in the next World Cup will depend on how he feels. Beyond that, the Copa América would not be his farewell to the Albiceleste.
Lionel Messicaptain and symbol of the Argentine National Teamprepares to face a America Cup very special considering that he is in the final stretch of his career, at 36 years old. Beyond that, the continental competition would not be his farewell to the Albiceleste and he even left a wink for the World Cup 2026…
In an extensive interview with Infobae, La Pulga was asked if he imagines himself in the next World Cup, which will be held in the United States (where he is living), Mexico and Canada. If he plays, it would be his sixth participation and he would break the absolute record he shares with other legends (such as Cristiano Ronaldo).
“It depends on how I feel, how I am physically and being realistic with myself. And knowing if I am up to the task of being able to compete and help the teammates next to me. Know how I am physically. There is still a lot left to… in quotes ‘there is a lot and a little left’, because it goes by quickly, but there is a while left and I don’t know how I will be at that moment,” he stated.
“Age is also a reality that is there, although it is a number, the games that I am going to play are not the same as the ones I played when I was in Europe in competition, which were every three days, or in the Champions League or in the League where it was, both in France and Spain. “It depends on how I feel and what I feel when I’m next to my teammates and see if I’m still up to par or not,” added the star of the Argentine National Team.
Messi’s future in the Argentine National Team: what he thinks and his nod to the 2026 World Cup
In this way, Lionel Messi made it clear that, as long as he feels good, he will continue in the Argentine National Team. Now, the Rosario star will focus on defending his title in the Copa América in the United States. Then, He could be there for the next matches of the Qualifiers.
The path of the Argentine National Team after the Copa América
The Argentine National Team will compete in the Copa América in the United States and, for the remainder of the year, FIFA will resume the Qualifiers towards the 2026 World Cup on three dates: Chile and Colombia (in September), Venezuela and Bolivia (in October) and Paraguay and Peru (in November).
With Messi, the footballers with the most World Cups played
- Lionel Messi – 5 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022)
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022)
- Andrés Guardado – 5 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022)
- Rafael Márquez – 5 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018)
- Lothar Matthäus – 5 (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998)
- Antonio Carbajal – 5 (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966)
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