Lionel Messi has again cast doubt on his participation in the 2026 World Cup, saying age and fitness may ultimately decide whether he takes the field in what would be his sixth appearance at football’s biggest stage.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview, the Inter Miami captain said he has yet to make up his mind. “The most logical thing is that I won’t make it because of my age,” the 37-year-old forward said. “But we’re almost there, and I’m excited and motivated to play. I take it day by day, match by match.”
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Messi, who lifted the trophy with Argentina in Qatar in 2022, explained that his decision will depend on how he feels physically and mentally. “When I feel good, I enjoy it. When I don’t, I prefer not to be there. I want to be honest with myself,” he said.
He outlined a simple plan: finish the current Major League Soccer season, go through preseason training in 2026, and then decide whether he has the strength to lead Argentina one more time. “Hopefully I’ll have a good preseason and then I’ll see how I feel,” he added.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has repeatedly said Messi will have a place in the squad if he wants it, but the forward has been careful not to make promises. At 39 when the tournament opens in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, he would be competing against the limits of age in a sport increasingly dominated by younger, faster players.
For fans, Messi’s uncertainty adds another layer of anticipation to a World Cup already set to be historic — the first with 48 teams and spread across three host nations. For Argentina, the hope remains that their captain, still delivering moments of brilliance in MLS, will feel ready to defend the crown.
Until then, Messi insists, the focus is on the present. “Day by day, match by match — that’s how I live football,” he said.