As Lionel Messi enters the twilight of his storied career, one of the most pressing questions surrounding the Argentine icon is whether he’ll suit up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With less than 18 months to go before the tournament kicks off, Messi has opened up about his current mindset and whether he envisions himself wearing the Argentina jersey on soccer’s biggest stage once again.
Now 37 years old, Messi has become a national legend, having silenced early-career critics by delivering two Copas America and a long-awaited World Cup title. But as time marches on, questions have naturally arisen about his physical condition and longevity. In an interview with the YouTube channel Simplemente Futbol, Messi addressed the topic.
“Honestly, no. If you think about it, it feels far away, but time flies. This year is going to be important for me—being able to play consistently, feeling good… Last year, I started preseason and had to sit out a few games at the beginning because I’d been dealing with injuries or wasn’t at 100%. This year, I had a good preseason, started off well, and I feel good,” he said to former Argentina international Enrique Wolff.
Messi also acknowledged the physical toll of the 2025 MLS season and Inter Miami’s crowded schedule: “It’s going to be a long year because the season starts now and runs straight through to December. There’s no break in June, and on top of that we have the Club World Cup, which adds a lot of matches—but I’ll take it as it comes.”
When asked directly about the 2026 World Cup, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner emphasized a day-by-day approach. “Of course you think about it and keep it in mind, but you don’t want to set strict goals either. It’s about living day by day, seeing how I feel physically above all, and being honest with myself about whether I’m up for it or not,” Messi stated.
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Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has previously stated that Messi’s involvement in 2026 will be entirely up to the player. And while the door remains open, Messi’s measured comments suggest the decision is still very much in flux. Still, fans around the globe are hopeful that the legendary No. 10 will appear one final time on soccer’s grandest stage—hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Managing Messi’s minutes in 2025
To ensure Messi remains fit throughout a demanding 2025 season, Inter Miami has implemented a careful load management strategy. While the star forward is eager to feature in every game, the club has prioritized his long-term availability, particularly for crucial matchups.
Following a grueling opening week, Messi missed three straight matches due to muscular fatigue. A subsequent minor injury suffered against Atlanta United also kept him out of Argentina’s high-profile World Cup qualifiers versus Uruguay and Brazil. Despite these setbacks, Messi has bounced back quickly—appearing in 10 of Inter Miami’s 13 matches so far, tallying eight goals and three assists.
The strategy of protecting his fitness has also led to coach Javier Mascherano to be reluctant to confirm Messi’s presence in games, a stance that has caused frustration among some fans. Still, with Messi continuing to produce at an elite level and responding well to the carefully managed workload, his potential appearance at the 2026 World Cup feels increasingly plausible—not just a nostalgic dream.
