Messi admits he wants another World Cup run, but will decide in early 2026 | OneFootball

The Argentine star Lionel Messi expressed his 'full desire' to lead his country's national team in defending the world title in 2026, but he will not make a definitive decision about his participation until the beginning of next year.

The 38-year-old 'albiceleste' star spoke on the subject during an interview with the NBC network on the occasion of his recent renewal with Inter Miami until 2028.

“The truth is yes, it's something extraordinary to be at the World Cup. I would like to be well and be an important part to help my national team,” Messi detailed in the interview published this Monday (27).

“I will evaluate day by day, when preseason starts next year with Inter and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful for the group, the national team, and then make a decision,” stated the Argentine star.

“Obviously, I have all the desire because it's a World Cup. We came off a victory in the last World Cup and being able to defend that title again on the field is spectacular, because it is always a dream to play for the national team, especially in official competitions,” Messi added, in one of the few interviews he has given since his arrival in the North American MLS league in 2023.

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Last Thursday, Inter Miami announced the renewal of Messi until the end of the 2028 season in a contract that, if fully fulfilled, would keep him on the field until he turns 41.

The albiceleste captain, top scorer of the last regular MLS season with 29 goals in 28 rounds, has just started his participation in the competition's playoffs. His goal is to give Inter Miami its first United States league title, with the final to be held on December 6.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.