In a revealing sit‑down with the YouTube channel Simplemente Fútbol, Argentina’s talismanic captain hinted that he hasn’t ruled out a tilt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite having suggested that 2022 would mark his last appearance on football’s grandest stage. “This year will be important to see what I decide regarding the 2026 World Cup,” he said. “I would lie if I told you I’m not thinking about that,” he added, acknowledging that his performance and fitness over the coming months will ultimately determine whether he lines up in North America in 2026 .
At 37, the forward—who turns 38 in two months and will celebrate his 39th birthday midway through the 2026 tournament—remains under contract with Inter Miami through the end of 2025, with negotiations reportedly underway for an extension that could keep him in the MLS until at least 2026. Club owner Jorge Mas has publicly expressed confidence that the superstar will be part of the team’s long‑term vision, a move that would not only bolster Miami’s project but also position Messi to remain match‑sharp as World Cup year approaches .
Behind the scenes, national team coach Lionel Scaloni has made it clear that the door will stay ajar for his captain to defend Argentina’s crown. “It will depend a lot on what he wants and how he feels over time,” Scaloni told Diario Olé, emphasizing that as long as Messi is motivated and physically capable, a place in the squad will be there for him .
Messi’s club form offers reason for optimism. In five Major League Soccer fixtures this season, he has already contributed three goals and two assists, while in the CONCACAF Champions Cup he has found the net five times—including a brace that helped overturn a deficit against Los Angeles FC—underscoring his enduring quality at the club level .
On the international front, Argentina have already secured qualification for 2026, and Messi stamped his authority on the campaign with a hat‑trick against Bolivia during the October 2024 qualifiers, becoming the outright all‑time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying history with 31 goals .
As the calendar turns to 2025, all eyes will be on Messi’s fitness, form and motivation. If he can maintain his current trajectory, another World Cup appearance—this time on home soil in North America—may yet be on the cards for the Argentine icon.
