October 28, 2025
MIAMI – Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine forward and eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient, has openly expressed his ambition to represent Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though he stressed that his participation will hinge entirely on his physical readiness. The 38-year-old Inter Miami striker, who captained the Albiceleste to their triumphant 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar, told NBC News in a candid interview that he will evaluate his body’s condition next year before committing to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“I would love to be there, be well, and be an important part of helping my national team,” Messi said, underscoring the profound honor of competing in the world’s premier football competition. Turning 39 in June 2026—just weeks before the tournament kicks off—Messi acknowledged the inevitability of age-related challenges. “We’ll see next year how my body feels,” he remarked, emphasizing a pragmatic, day-to-day approach to his fitness assessment during Inter Miami’s pre-season preparations.
Messi’s potential involvement in the 2026 edition carries immense significance. Argentina enters the tournament as defending champions, a status achieved through a dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in the 2022 final at Lusail Stadium. That triumph marked Messi’s crowning achievement on the international stage, completing a career grand slam that includes the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, and now a World Cup title. Defending the crown, he noted, would be “spectacular,” adding that suiting up for Argentina in official competitions remains “always a dream.”
The Rosario native’s international legacy is unparalleled. With 195 caps—the most in Argentine history—Messi has scored 114 goals, surpassing Pelé’s South American record and trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Ali Daei globally. His journey with La Selección began in 2005, evolving from a prodigious teenager into the linchpin of Argentina’s golden era under coaches Lionel Scaloni and previously Alejandro Sabella. The 2022 World Cup saw Messi contribute seven goals and three assists, earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Yet, the physical toll of a 20-year elite career looms large. Messi debuted professionally with FC Barcelona in 2004 at age 17, amassing 672 goals in 778 appearances across 17 La Liga seasons. His 2021 move to Paris Saint-Germain yielded 32 goals in 75 matches before he joined Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami in July 2023. Since arriving in South Florida, Messi has transformed the franchise, leading them to the 2023 Leagues Cup title and the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. In 2025, he has recorded 20 goals and 16 assists in 29 MLS appearances, despite intermittent hamstring and adductor issues that caused him to miss several matches, including Argentina’s September 2025 World Cup qualifiers.
Messi’s cautious stance reflects lessons learned from recent years. A recurring hamstring injury sidelined him for nearly three months in 2024, and he opted out of Argentina’s June 2025 friendlies to prioritize recovery. “I need to be honest with myself and the team,” he told NBC. “If I can really be 100 percent and be useful to the group, to the national team, then yes. If not, I won’t force it.” This measured approach mirrors his decision to retire from international football in 2016—following three consecutive finals losses—before reversing course in 2017 amid widespread fan and teammate appeals.
The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, with CONMEBOL allocated six automatic berths and one intercontinental playoff spot. Argentina, currently atop the South American qualifying standings with 28 points from 14 matches, appears poised for direct qualification. Messi has featured in eight of those qualifiers, scoring five goals, but his minutes have been managed carefully by Scaloni, who has integrated younger talents like Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, and Alejandro Garnacho.
Beyond the pitch, Messi’s life in Miami has provided a serene backdrop for his twilight years. “We live very well here,” he shared. “Miami allows us to enjoy life and be calm.” The city’s cosmopolitan vibe, beaches, and family-friendly environment have eased the transition for Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons—Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. The family resides in a $10.8 million Fort Lauderdale mansion, and Messi has embraced local culture, attending Miami Heat games and even investing in a minority stake in the franchise’s ownership group.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, is building around its talisman. The club signed Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez as a free agent in December 2023, reuniting Messi with his former Barcelona teammate. The duo, alongside midfielders Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, has propelled Miami to unprecedented success in MLS. The 2025 season concludes with the MLS Cup playoffs, where Miami enters as the top seed. Messi’s contract runs through 2025 with an option for 2026, aligning conveniently with World Cup preparations.
Scaloni has consistently affirmed Messi’s centrality to the national team setup. “Leo decides when he plays for Argentina,” the coach said in September 2025. “His presence elevates everyone.” Teammates echo this sentiment. Captaincy successor Álvarez told TyC Sports, “Having Messi is like having the best player in history. We’ll support whatever he decides.”
The 2026 tournament’s North American setting adds intrigue. Sixteen U.S. cities will host matches, including Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, where Argentina could potentially play group-stage games. The proximity would allow Messi to compete near his adopted home, potentially in front of thousands of Argentine expatriates who have flocked to South Florida.
Messi’s potential ninth World Cup appearance—he debuted in 2006—would extend a record he already shares with compatriots Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano for most tournaments played by an Argentine (five). Only Mexico’s Antonio Carbajal, Germany’s Lothar Matthäus, and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (five each) have matched or surpassed that mark globally.
Health, however, remains the wildcard. Sports medicine experts note that elite athletes in their late 30s face heightened risks of soft-tissue injuries, particularly with the compressed 2025-26 schedule: MLS playoffs in November-December 2025, pre-season in January 2026, and the World Cup from June 11 to July 19. Messi’s regimen includes cryotherapy, yoga, and a plant-based diet, but Father Time is undefeated.
Should Messi participate and Argentina advances deep, he could surpass Matthäus’s all-time World Cup appearances record (25). More poignantly, a second title would cement his status as the greatest of all time in the eyes of many, silencing residual debates with Ronaldo, who retired from Portugal duty in 2024 after Euro 2024.
For now, the football world waits. Messi’s daily check-ins with his body next January will reverberate from Buenos Aires to Miami. “I don’t think about retirement,” he concluded. “I just want to keep enjoying football.” Whether that enjoyment includes a swan song on the grandest stage remains, for now, an open question—one that 195 caps, 114 goals, and a nation’s hopes rest upon.
