Lionel Messi on the 2026 World Cup: “I’m excited, but taking it day by day” | OneFootball

The presence of Lionel Messi in the Argentina National Team for the 2026 World Cup is still uncertain. Although the hints left by the number 10 and the Albiceleste recently suggest that he will be among those called up by Scaloni for the tournament in North America, the reality is that none of the key figures dare to confirm it with certainty.

Seven months before the start of the World Cup, and ahead of the last FIFA date of 2025, Messi spoke again about this matter and provided a revealing testimony. In an exclusive interview with Diario Sport, Lionel Andrés stated: “Obviously, I am excited, a World Cup is special, and it is special to play with the National Team in important competitions, especially after having won it,” he began.

However, beyond showing his excitement about being on the World Cup list, Messi revealed what he truly fears regarding the 2026 World Cup: “I don't want to be a burden; I want to feel physically well and be sure that I can help and contribute to the group. Our season is different from Europe's; we will have a preseason, few matches until the World Cup, and I will see day by day if I feel good enough to be as I would like to be.”

Finally, regarding the topic, the Barcelona and Inter Miami idol concluded: “I am aware that it is a World Cup, and it is the biggest thing in terms of competition. I am excited, but I take it day by day.”

Messi spoke about his possible retirement

“It's very strange. The truth is it was very strange, especially Jordi's situation, because we didn't expect it. We talked more with Busi; he had been analyzing it, and Jordi's decision came from one day to the next. He caught us in the locker room and told us he was going to announce his retirement, without having discussed it before. It was more surprising because it happened overnight. It's a shame because beyond what we enjoyed on the field, we are friends and started the challenge of coming to Miami together,” he commented regarding the retirements of Busquets and Alba in a conversation with Sport.

He also referred to his possible retirement: “You see that there is less and less time left, and the moment is approaching for all of us too, because we are from the same generation, we built our careers together, and having been able to share the last years together was very nice.”

With information from Bolavip

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