Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi hopes to play for Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though he has not made a final decision yet. The Argentine legend said he will only play if he feels 100% fit and can truly help his team.
In an interview with NBC News on Monday, Messi spoke about his dream to defend the title Argentina won in Qatar.
“Well, the truth is that yes, it’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup,” Messi said. “And I would like to be there. To feel well and to be an important part of helping my national team, if I am there.
“I am 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%. I’m really eager because it’s the World Cup. 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, so hopefully God will allow me to do it once again.”
Messi focused on fitness and honesty ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
The 38 year old has said before that his decision will depend on how he feels physically. During the September international window, he told reporters, “we’ll see.”
“I’m trying to feel good and, above all, being honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good,” Messi said after a World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela in September. “So we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup. I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So, we’ll see how I feel.
“Hopefully, I’ll have a good preseason in 2026 and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.”
“I’ve always said that I’ll base my decision [about playing] on how I feel day to day and how I feel physically and mentally to continue playing and to continue being part of this club,” Messi told NBC. “Honestly, I felt really good during the year. I’m happy living in Miami, as is my family, and honestly, the decision was easy.”
Messi has had a strong 2025 season with Inter Miami, scoring 29 goals in 28 MLS games to win the Golden Boot. He is also a finalist for the 2025 MLS MVP award and recently signed a new three-year contract through 2028.
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