Argentina captain Lionel Messi has dropped a major hint that he may not feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 38-year-old football legend made the revelation after scoring twice in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier.
Messi admitted that he no longer enjoys playing when he isn’t fully fit, stressing that his advancing age makes the decision even more difficult.
“As I’ve said before, I don’t think I’ll play another World Cup. At my age, it’s only logical to think I might not,” Messi told TyC Sports.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner explained that his participation in the tournament will ultimately depend on his physical condition.
“Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then have preseason, and in six months, I’ll see how I feel,” he added.
If Messi bows out before 2026, it would mean his last World Cup appearance remains the 2022 edition in Qatar, where he led Argentina to glory in one of the most historic finals in football history.
