Messi unsure about 2026 World Cup, says it's unlikely he'll make it | OneFootball

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar may have been the last of Lionel Messi's career.

After making all the difference on a special night for him, the Argentine star did not confirm his participation in next year's World Cup.

Messi will be 39 years old during the tournament in Canada, United States and Mexico.

He made it clear that he would like a "Last Dance", but kept it a mystery.

"I don't think I'll play another World Cup, the most logical thing is that I won't make it, but we're here, I'm hopeful and eager, but it's day by day, game by game.", he said.

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The author of 114 goals in 194 matches with the Albiceleste, he understands that he will need to assess his physical and mental condition as the World Cup approaches:

"This year we had games, many sequences of games. Luckily I was able to play three games in a row, it's day by day, feeling the sensations. It's clear that today was the last game worth points here, but day by day trying to feel good and above all being honest with myself. If I feel good, I enjoy. If I feel bad, I prefer not to be."

Messi suffered from Argentina's long drought of victories, three consecutive runners-up (2014 World Cup and 2015 and 2016 Copa Americas) and the doubt that he was, in fact, a representative of the Argentine people.

But he dispelled any and all fears over the years. And many victories.

Playing his last point-worthy game in Argentina was special for the star:

"Many things have happened, being able to finish this way here was always my dream. Being able to celebrate with my people, for many years I had a lot of affection in Barcelona, and my dream was to have it here too in my country, with my people. For many years many things were said, but I keep all the good things we did. I stick with the group that tried and couldn't make it, but then everything we lived was beautiful."

One certainty confirmed by the number 10 himself is that he will not play in next Tuesday's (9) game against Ecuador.

Messi reached match number 72 in the Qualifiers against Venezuela.

Equaling the then sole record holder Iván Hurtado, today a former Ecuadorian defender.

The farewell in the Qualifiers was in great style.

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

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