Lionel Messi Hopes 'I Can Be There' At 2026 World Cup; Keeps Future Participation Unclear

Last Updated:December 05, 2025, 07:55 IST

Lionel Messi, 38, hints he may play at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada, but vows to attend regardless.

Lionel Messi. (AP Photo)

Lionel Messi still isn’t ready to give a straight answer on whether he’ll play at the 2026 World Cup — but he’s made one thing clear: if he’s not on the pitch, he’ll definitely be in the stands.

On the eve of Friday’s World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., the 38-year-old Argentine icon told ESPN that he hasn’t ruled out one last dance on football’s biggest stage.

“I hope I can be there. I’ve said before that I’d love to be there," Messi admitted. “At worst, I’ll be there watching it live. It will be special."

For Messi, the World Cup isn’t just another tournament — it’s the ultimate emotional rush, especially after captaining Argentina to glory in Qatar in 2022.

A Loaded Argentina Awaits

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, will feature a stacked Argentina side brimming with talent, hunger, and belief. Messi couldn’t hide his pride in the squad’s mentality:

“We have extraordinary players. The desire, the mentality — it’s contagious," he said. “Everyone gives everything. That’s the great strength of this team."

Argentina enters Friday’s draw as a top seed in Pot 1.

A Legacy Already Sealed

Messi’s international résumé is already untouchable:

• 193 caps (Argentina’s most ever)
• 112 goals (Argentina’s all-time top scorer)
• Copa América 2021
• Finalissima 2022
• World Cup 2022 champion

But the big question remains: does he have one more World Cup left in him?

2026: Maybe… or Maybe Not

Messi will be 39 when the next tournament kicks off — something even he knows could be a stretch.

“As long as I can still play, feel good physically, and enjoy it, I’ll keep going," he said. “The moment I feel I can’t, or I’m not enjoying it, that’s when I’ll stop."

For now? He’s still smiling. Still competing.

And the world waits to see whether the GOAT has one last World Cup chapter left to write.

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