Lionel Messi hints at participating in 2026 FIFA World Cup, if he feels good

The football world is getting ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Most national teams are packed. One question remains unanswered. Will Lionel Messi make one more appearance in the main football competition in the world? The 2022 World Cup champion expressed his hope to join the national team next summer. His final decision will depend on his well-being before the tournament.

Messi will turn 39 during the 2026 tournament, which is a solid age for the football player to perform on such a high level. If he decides to join, he will become one of several players with six appearances at the World Cup. Can it be a source of motivation for Messi? We’ll see!

Historic Legacy or New Chapter

Messi’s career has been long and consistent. In 2022, he won the trophy after scoring two goals in the final, which became the crucial moment of his career. He played 25 matches, 19 as a captain, for the national team at the World Cup. Football fans and bookmakers are already checking betting odds, estimating the chances of Messi coming back to the national team. Considering his recent performance, his presence at the World Cup is highly possible.

Messi once said that 2022 would be his final World Cup. But he could change his mind. After all, the Argentinian striker is known for his strong ambitions. The possibility of defending the champion title keeps the doors open for him. Messi has recently extended his contract with Inter Miami through 2028, which proves that his professional career still has room to grow. In MLS, Messi has scored 29 goals and made 15 assists in 28 games, placing him among the top candidates for the league’s MVP award.

The Call for One Last Dance

Despite the excitement surrounding his potential return to the World Cup, Messi doesn’t make any promises. His physical condition will determine his final decision. After Argentina qualified for the tournament in September, the player was quite honest with his fans. He realizes that his age can be the main obstacle to his appearance at the World Cup. He wants to make a real contribution to his team, not just be there for the sake of history.

Spanish journalist Tomás Guasch joked that Messi should appear “even if he’s embalmed”. The football world deserves a chance to witness the very last clash between Ronaldo and Messi at the World Cup. The expanded 48-team format makes the whole thing even more possible. But pressure doesn’t seem to influence Messi’s thinking.

Excitement for a North American World Cup

Messi is already praising the 2026 tournament as potentially one of the most spectacular in modern football history. Speaking at the American Business Forum in Florida, he expressed his high expectations for the World Cup. The whole promises to be something extraordinary, with many national teams “upgraded” with a new generation of layers. He also admitted the fast-growing popularity of football culture in North America, which influences the winning potential of local teams on the international arena.

Messi’s international career includes 195 caps and 114 goals, making him the best scorer in Argentina. For years, international success eluded him until he became the winner of the Copa América in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022. These trophies completed his list of achievements, but it doesn’t mean that Messi is going to give up so easily. A sixth World Cup appearance can become a nice bonus, possibly one more chance to chase glory.

Messi and his wife, Antonella, have built a stable life in South Florida. The striker has been showing stable performance on the football field since his transfer in 2023. To be fair enough, Inter Miami had already lifted the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield before Messi’s arrival. But he contributed to the team’s consistent performance. As Miami continues its meteoric rise in MLS, Messi’s presence is increasing the club’s global appeal.

So… Will Messi Play in 2026?

At this moment, the answer remains a hopeful “maybe.” Messi clearly wants to be part of the 2026 World Cup, but only if his physical condition allows him to play at a high level. He gave us hope, and now we are all waiting for his final decision. For Argentina, the possibility of their captain returning to defend the title is monumental. And for football history, a sixth World Cup appearance would be another milestone in a career already filled with achievements. Let’s not forget, Messi will be 39. That’s the age for most players to enjoy their retirement. Joining the biggest football event in the world isn’t about personal desire, but physical readiness. As Messi put it best: “Hopefully God will allow me to do it once again.”