When one of football’s greatest ever players speaks candidly about his future, the world listens. In a recent interview with NBC News, Lionel Messi opened up about his ambition to play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 for the Argentina national football team, while simultaneously acknowledging the practical realities of age, fitness and legacy.
Messi sits at a pivotal moment in his career. Having led Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022, his international status has been reaffirmed. The 2026 tournament will be held in North America (United States, Mexico and Canada) and will represent not only a chance for Argentina to defend its title but, for Messi, a possible final international bow on football’s biggest stage. Publicly he is signalling intention, yet privately he is leaving room to decide.
At nearly 39 years old by the time of the tournament, the factors are many: physical condition, club commitments (currently with Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer), desire to play meaningfully rather than just appear, and the question of when to draw the curtain on an extraordinary career.
In his interview the headlines focus on the simple yet weighty phrase: “I would like to be there.” But beneath that lie several layers of meaning and intention.
What Messi Actually Said? In His Own Words:
- “It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup and I would love to.”
- “I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my national team – if I am there.”
- “And 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 to the group, to the national team, and then make a decision.”
- “We’re coming off winning the last World Cup and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions.”
These lines tell us three things simultaneously: (1) the desire is there; (2) he is not committing fully yet; (3) he sets conditions (fitness, usefulness) for his participation.
The Underlying Themes and Implications
1. Legacy and Fulfilment
Messi’s mention of having “won the last World Cup” is significant. After a long career of individual and club success, that international triumph in 2022 arguably completed one of his major missing pieces. Now, the idea of defending the title carries both opportunity and risk. To return and contribute meaningfully would enhance the narrative of his career; to return and falter might invite unwelcome comparisons. His guarded phrasing suggests he is aware of the balance.
2. Physical Realities of Age
By 2026 he will be nearly 39. For a footballer, especially one whose game has long relied on burst, agility, creative movement, and endurance, this presents genuine questions. He said he will evaluate “day by day,” emphasising the importance of being 100 % and being “useful.” He clearly does not want to be a token presence; he wants to be a contributor. That mindset is as telling as it is wise.
3. Club & National Team Dynamics
His club contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028 (announced recently) shows he remains committed at club level. This commitment is important: a strong club season and healthy fitness will strengthen his case for international involvement. On the national team side, coach Lionel Scaloni has already indicated that Messi will decide in his own time and that the door remains open. The interplay between club form, fitness load, and Argentina’s squad planning therefore becomes central.
4. Psychological and Emotional Dimension
Playing another World Cup would carry emotional weight. He called playing for the national team “always a dream.” The phrase “if I am there” hints at a dual mindset: one of desire and one of pragmatism. He wants to cherish the moment rather than simply go through the motions. This emotional self-awareness suggests a maturity befitting someone at his career stage.
Possible Scenarios: What Could Happen
From Messi’s comments and context, a few plausible trajectories emerge.
Scenario A: Messi opts in fully. He stays fit, performs well at club level, and enters the 2026 World Cup as a starter or significant contributor. Argentina build a campaign around him as an experienced leader, and the narrative becomes one of “defending the title” with their captain still steering the ship.
Scenario B: Messi participates but in a reduced role. He may be in the squad, but his minutes may be limited, perhaps coming off the bench or playing part-time. He may serve more as a guide and symbol than the on-field star he once was.
Scenario C: Messi decides to step aside. After evaluating his preseason, fitness, or simply workload, he opts not to participate. Argentina would then fully transition to the next generation without their most iconic player. While bittersweet, this might ensure his club form remains strong and his legacy remains untarnished by potential decline.
Why Many Are Rooting for His Return
There are several compelling reasons why fans, media and teammates alike would welcome Messi’s participation in 2026.
- Continuity of a Champion: He remains the captain of the team that won in 2022. His presence would give psychological and tactical continuity to Argentina’s title defence.
- Leadership for the Next Generation: Argentina have young talents emerging; having an experienced figure like Messi could help their transition and performance on the world stage.
- Global Impact: His presence would elevate the tournament’s profile, especially given the 2026 World Cup’s setting in North America. Commercial, broadcast and fan interest would all benefit.
- A Fitting Final Chapter: If 2026 becomes his final World Cup, it would shape a fitting narrative of one of football’s greats giving one last push on the global stage.
What Could Make Him Say No
At the same time, several valid reasons could lead Messi to opt out.
- Injury risk and recovery: At his age, recovery is slower, and risk of major injury increases. If preseason shows limitations, he might prefer to avoid potential career-ending mishap.
- Load management: With club commitments and the schedule at Inter Miami, international duty adds another layer of stress. He may assess that the incremental benefit does not outweigh the cost.
- Team evolution: Argentina needs to evolve toward its future. If inclusion of Messi slows that progression or if the squad is built for post-Messi era, his involvement might be less beneficial.
- Legacy preservation: He may prefer to retire on his own terms rather than risk a fade that alters the public memory of his greatness.
Timeline and What to Watch
In the coming months, these will be the clear touchpoints:
- Pre-season with Inter Miami (early 2026): This is when Messi himself said he would evaluate his condition. How he looks physically, how many minutes he plays and how he performs matter.
- Club performance in 2025–26: Strong output at club level will fuel momentum; any prolonged absence or dip will raise concerns.
- Argentina national team involvement: His presence in call-ups, minutes played in friendlies or qualifiers (if any) will hint at his intention and condition.
- Public statements/interviews: Further remarks by Messi or Scaloni will clarify timelines and mindset.
- Squad selection and tactical shape: As Argentina selects its squad for 2026, how they shape around the possibility of Messi will indicate whether he is seen as central or supplementary.
Lionel Messi’s latest interview does more than just say “I might play.” It lies at the intersection of ambition, realism and legacy. He knows what playing the World Cup means for him personally and for Argentina as a country. Yet he also acknowledges the conditions: if he cannot be at his best or cannot meaningfully contribute, he would rather not appear.
In a way, the interview signals that whatever decision he makes will be guided not just by love of the game but by respect for what the game demands, and by a desire to shape the closing chapter of his career on his own terms. That is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
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