Perhaps the biggest question about Argentine football right now is whether Lionel Messi will play in the 2026 World Cup or not? Messi himself has spoken about it before. In an interview with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano in November last year, Messi said that he is still not sure whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup or not. He wants to finish the year well first. He wants to move forward towards the 2026 World Cup every day.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about Messi's chances of playing in the next World Cup last March. After defeating Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Scaloni said, "Let's see what happens, there is still time." Scaloni said that Messi will have to make Messi's decision.
Messi was asked the same question again. The Inter Miami star gave an interview to former Argentine defender Kike Wolf's show 'Simply Football'. After a long 24 years on ESPN, the show is now being broadcast on YouTube. In an interview with Kike Wolff and his son Pedro inside the Inter Miami complex, the Argentine legend spoke about the 2026 World Cup, saying, "This year will be important for me to make a decision about the 2026 World Cup. Of course I think about the World Cup and being there. But I am moving forward every day. I have to be honest with myself about whether I can be there (the 2026 World Cup) or not."
Messi said he "doesn't want to set any goals." How he feels physically is important to the 37-year-old forward. On winning the 2022 World Cup, Messi said, "I couldn't ask for anything more. It wasn't just the World Cup. I won everything. I achieved everything. The World Cup is in Barcelona, it's there. All my trophies and awards are in Barcelona."
Argentina also reached the final of the 2014 World Cup. They lost to Germany. Messi said, "It was painful for me not to reach the final of the 2014 World Cup and become the champion. Later, after becoming the champion, everything became bearable. The perspective has changed. I could have won two World Cups, but I have the World Cup."
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