Luis Suarez lifts on the lid on Lionel Messi's retirement plan (or lack of) | OneFootball

Luis Suarez fully expects Lionel Messi to try to play for Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But even as one of his closest friends in football, it's not a subject the two have discussed directly, Suarez told Uruguayan sports media outlet Ovacion in an interview published Sunday.

In a wide-ranging discussion that also covered the end of Suarez's own career with the Uruguay national team and his thoughts on parenting a youth player, Suarez indicated that Messi's desire to compete for the Albiceleste is clear just by observing him -- including his continued contributions to Argentina's successful qualifying campaign for manager Lionel Scaloni.

"We often talk jokingly (about retirement), but he also has that desire to play in next year's World Cup," Suarez said in Spanish.

Asked if the World Cup had been a direct subject of conversation, Suarez elaborated:

"No, no, no, I don't even ask him... I already know what he's like and I don't ask him any of that. Time will tell," Suarez said.

Messi still key for Argentina

Despite approaching his 38th birthday, Messi has remained Argentina's leading attacking contributor in 2026 qualifying, scoring six goals and assisting in three more in nine appearances (eight starts).

And there have been times when Messi's devotion to Scaloni's group has even drawn criticism from some MLS observers who suggest he has prioritized his health for those games over his availability for Inter Miami.

But that chatter has quieted since Messi missed out on Argentina's March international window to recover from an adductor injury picked up in a 2-1 win at Atlanta United.

Argentina won both its matches anyway to seal its place in the 2026 tournament. And Messi returned to action off the bench in Miami's next match, a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, and has played the full 90 in four consecutive games since, two in the league and two in a Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal triumph over LAFC.

Suarez beyond 2025?

With recent reporting from The Athletic suggesting Miami and Messi are nearing agreement on a contract extension, Suarez also elaborated on his chances of staying with the Herons beyond 2025, saying Miami has indicated the decision is his.

"The club has always been very open to me making the decision," Suarez told Ovacion. "If I feel capable and they see that I'm capable of helping, they're willing (to renew). But it's just started; we've been here for a couple of months. We'll see how the club and I finish the year, and then we'll see what happens."

In addition to potentially continuing his career alongside one of his best friends on the field, Suarez is also 13 goals from 600 in his competitive career and 34 from finishing in the top 10 in all-time goal-scorers around the world.