Lionel Messi, 37 years old for a few weeks, will he play in the 2026 World Cup in North America? “La Pulga” is under contract with Inter Miami until December 2025 and will probably decide in a year whether he continues the adventure a little more in Florida in order to prepare for the quadrennial Fifa event organized in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The Argentine number 10 entered a little more into legend in December 2022 by lifting the trophy in Qatar, at the expense of the Blues. He cannot become a handicap for his country.
In any case, the Ballon d’Or record holder (8) is not at all considering an international retirement for the moment. Victim of a serious ligament injury to his right ankle, on July 14th during the Copa América final against Colombia finally won thanks to a goal scored by Lautaro Martinez in extra time, Messi hopes to play again in September with the Albiceleste. He thinks he will be physically operational in the coming weeks, in order to resume with his club and then play again for the national team.
Messi awaits Spain-Argentina
Lionel Scaloni’s team resumes on September 5 with the reception of Chile at the Monumental, in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The Argentines are in the lead after seven matches. Lionel Messi is therefore off for a tour with his Seleccion. And the pace is rather sustained with two World Cup qualifying matches in each international window this season, to conclude, for the Argentines, with a Finalissima against Spain. This gala match organized by UEFA and Conmebol, pitting the winner of the Euro against that of the Copa América, is announced for next June. It should be played in Europe.
Leo Messi has been on a roll with Inter Miami this season. He already has 12 goals and 9 assists in 12 games in the North American championship. The team led by Tata Martino, who also has veterans Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez in addition to the Argentine idol, leads the Eastern Conference with a five-point lead over Cincinnati. The playoffs, in October, are approaching.
