Lionel Messi on potentially playing in 2026 World Cup: ‘Time will tell’

Lionel Messi gained the World Cup in 2022, gained the Copa América in 2021, and desires to indicate he has the starvation to win some extra.

Argentina heads into this month’s South American soccer championship because the defending champion however with a group that is slowly beginning to rejuvenate.

The match, which begins on June 20 in the United States, will gauge whether or not Messi will nonetheless be capable of play on the subsequent World Cup in 2026, when he’ll be 39. It will additionally take a look at younger skills like striker Alejandro Garnacho and mark the nationwide group’s goodbye to veteran Ángel Di María.

“We are clear about the path to follow. It is not easy to compete again after winning it all,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni mentioned in March. “About results, the winner isn’t always the one who does the best things. … No one can lower their guard.”

Argentina gained its fifteenth Copa America title three years in the past, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, by beating Brazil 1-0 in the ultimate. That match served as a springboard for its triumphant run to the World Cup title a yr later in Qatar.

Argentina continues to be counting on a number of gamers who gained these titles with Argentina, however with key additions when the group opens play on June 20 in opposition to Canada in Group A. Peru and Chile are additionally in the group.

AGING MESSI

Messi will flip 37 through the Copa America, which will additionally mark the primary time he’ll play a significant occasion since leaving European soccer. He scored 15 objectives in 14 matches for Inter Miami this yr.

The Argentina captain has struggled with muscular accidents for the reason that World Cup, however has not mentioned when he expects to retire from the nationwide group.

“Time will tell whether I will be (at the 2026 World Cup) or not,” Messi instructed Star Plus in December. “As long as I feel I am well and that I am able to help, I will do it. Today all I think about is to get well to the Copa América and play it. Fight for it again, as we always do, try to be the champions.

“If we do nicely at Copa América and I can hold playing, possibly it occurs.”

DI MARÍA’S GOODBYE

Di María scored in both the winning Copa America and World Cup finals, but the veteran striker has decided to end his national team career this year in the United States.

“Copa America will be the final time I put on the Argentina shirt. With all of the ache in my soul and feeling a lump in the throat, I bid farewell of probably the most stunning factor that occurred in my profession,” Di María said at the end of 2023 on his social media channels.

Di María is fourth on the list in appearances for Argentina, playing in 138 matches since his debut in 2008. He played in the last four World Cups and was also in the squad that won the Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.

REVERENCE AND RENOVATION

All 11 gamers who began in opposition to France in the 2022 World Cup ultimate are more likely to be in the squad, together with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defenders Cristian Romero and Nicolás Otamendi, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, and ahead Julián Álvarez. The most notable absence is ahead Paulo Dybala, who came on as a substitute in the penalty-shootout victory in Qatar and has struggled with injuries.

Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the decisive penalty, is likely to remain with the squad despite little playing time at English club Nottingham Forest.

Two players regarded as key for Argentina’s renovation will be in the United States for the tournament, Brighton left back Valentín Barco and Monza striker Valentín Carboni.

Reporting by the Associated Press. 

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