Next summer’s World Cup is on Lionel Messi’s mind but he is yet to make a final decision over whether he will play in it or not.
Messi will turn 38 during the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico and had previously said in Qatar in 2022 that that competition — where he led Argentina to victory — would be “his last”.
Advertisement
The Inter Miami star is still playing at a high level, however, with his club manager, Javier Mascherano, a former Argentine international himself, recently voicing his hope that the eight time Ballon d’Or winner will choose to make himself available.
Messi doesn’t want “set that goal” a little over a year away but admits the tournament — which would be a record-setting sixth World Cup of his career — is in his thoughts.
“The truth is that when you start thinking about it, it’s a long time away but at the same time it’s going to pass quickly, no?,” Messi said in an interview with Simplemente Futbol.
“For me this year is going to be important (for the World Cup), to be able to play with continuity, to feel good. Last year I joined up for pre-season and started a couple of games, then had to miss a few games through injuries or not feeling 100 per cent. This time pre-season has been good, I’ve started well and I feel good.
“It’s a long season. It’s started now and runs through to December without a break in June, on top of that we have the Club World Cup in June as well, another competition. There are lots of games.”
“I think about it and wait and see but I don’t want to set that goal either,” he added. “I’ll take it day by day and see how I feel physically above all else, and be honest with myself too.”
Messi missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers last month in which they secured their spot for 2026 with coach Lionel Scaloni urging patience over his star player’s participation.
Messi has a record 112 goals in 191 caps for Argentina. He holds the record for most appearances (26) at World Cup finals and is third all-time for goals (13). He was awarded the Golden Ball as the best overall player at the 2022 World Cup and captained the side to the Copa America a year ago.
This season he has eight goals and three assists across 10 MLS and Concacaf Champions Cup games.
Miami are next in action against Columbus Crew on Saturday in Cleveland before taking on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal first leg April 24.
(Chris Arjoon/AFP via Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Snový začátek v MLS! Lingr skóroval i ve svém druhém zápase
Online magazín deníku Právo & Seznam.czCopyright © 1996–2025, Seznam.cz, a.s., Borgis, a.s., ČTK, DPA, Reuters, fotobanka Profimedia.Publikování nebo další šíření obsahu serveru Sport.cz je bez písemného souhlasu společnosti Borgis, a.s. zakázáno. RSS kanály serveru Sport.cz jsou určeny pouze pro osobní užití. Jakékoli kopírování, šíření nebo využívání obsahu RSS kanálů serveru Sport.cz bez předchozího písemného souhlasu společnosti Borgis a.s. není dovoleno. Dodavatelem obsahu serveru Sport.cz a osobou vykonávající redakční odpovědnost je společnost BORGIS a.s. Šiřitelem reklamy na serveru Sport.cz je společnost Seznam.cz, a.s., IČO 26168685.
Cruzeiro e Vasco fazem duelo de SAFs em reformulação e com diferença de gastos que não se vê na tabela
O Vasco visita o Cruzeiro às 16h em Uberlândia no duelo entre duas SAFs em reestruturação. Apesar do modelo de gestão distinto e de uma política de gastos bem diferente para a formação de equipes competitivas, os dois clubes amargam o meio da tabela do Brasileirão e sofrem com críticas de suas torcidas. Depois de o Vasco pedir recuperação judicial para aliviar as despesas para administrar a SAF — há um ano o clube está sob controle do associativo e do presidente Pedrinho, ainda sob liminar da Justiça do Rio contra a 777 Partners — a direção investiu de forma controlada em reforços, que somados aos atletas mais caros que já estavam no clube tentam cumprir bom papel. Hoje o time ocupa a nona posição. Foram 7,5 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 45 milhões) gastos pela diretoria até abril, […]
Group One action from ParisLongchamp, Southwell and Sha Tin on the cards
Group One action on the channel today with ParisLongchamp and Sha Tin staging quality racing as well as competitive action from Southwell, live on Sky Sports Racing...3.25 ParisLongchamp - Sosie and Map Of Stars headline Group One sextetAndre Fabre has won the Prix Ganay, Europe's first Group One of the season, on a record seven occasions and Sosie looks to have strong claims of making it eight. A son of Sea the Stars, he enjoyed a splendid campaign winning the Group One Grand Prix de Paris before finishing fourth when sent off as favourite for the Arc. He may need this reappearance but should be in the mix under Maxime Guyon.Map Of Stars has suffered defeat just once in his six-race career and Francis-Henri Graffard's four-year-old deserves a crack at the top table. He will have race fitness in his […]
Noční děkovačka mistrů! Na fotbalisty Slavie čekaly v noci u Edenu stovky fanoušků
Když před nedělní druhou hodinou ranní vystoupili Chorý a spol. z vlaku na zastávce u Edenu, mohli nabýt dojmu, že Praha právě slaví příchod nového roku. Oblohu i podchod od stanice ke stadionu ozařovaly světlice.Příznivci vytvořili hráčům a realizačnímu týmu tradiční uličku slávy, se svými hrdiny si plácali a skandovali jejich jména. Vystřihli několikrát také oslavný chorál vítězů „Tak jsme první no a co“.Než slávisté vklouzli do stadionu, kapitán Jan Bořil, obklopený fanoušky, vedl známou pozápasovou děkovačku. Příznivci po ní ještě pár minut vyvolávali jména čerstvých mistrů, kteří v té chvíli už pokračovali v mistrovských oslavách v útrobách Edenu. Vítězný pohár dostanou slávisté po závěrečném duelu nadstavby, po domácím utkání s Baníkem Ostrava (v sobotu 24. května). Mistrovské oslavy zažívají červenobílí po čtyřech letech.
Stephen Curry plays superhero, with help from unsung heroes, as shorthanded Warriors take 2-1 lead vs. Rockets
Getty Images One night after LeBron James dialed up 38 points and scored 20 in a single half for the 100th time in his playoff career, Stephen Curry followed up with his own "How is he still doing this?" performance in Game 3 against the Rockets on Saturday. The only difference: Curry's masterpiece came in a win. Playing without Jimmy Butler, who was nursing a pelvic and deep glute contusion, Curry put on his cape to the tune of 36 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, five 3-pointers and even a pair of blocked shots as the Warriors -- who trailed by as many as 13 in the first half and managed just 18 first-quarter points -- pulled off a 104-93 victory to take a 2-1 lead in what continues to be a street-fight series. "In this series, no game is gonna be pretty," […]
2025 NBA playoffs: How the Warriors stepped up to take Game 3 without Jimmy Butler
SAN FRANCISCO — Game 3 of the Golden State Warriors' first-round series with the Houston Rockets on Saturday was nothing short of a slugfest. They took part in a physical battle all night with bodies hitting the floor from the opening tip through the final buzzer.Missing Jimmy Butler, the Warriors relied on their depth and defense, while the Rockets couldn't contain Stephen Curry or buy a bucket late in the contest. By night's end, one team's poise and a familiar superstar's brilliance proved to be the difference as Golden State secured a 104-93 victory and a 2-1 series lead.Another 'Stephortless' performanceCurry did that thing where he takes over a game in its most pivotal moments — hitting dagger 3s, converting crafty layups and exploiting any mismatch on a big.Game 3 was no different. While both teams had their struggles early […]
Related
Snový začátek v MLS! Lingr skóroval i ve svém druhém zápase
Online magazín deníku Právo & Seznam.czCopyright © 1996–2025, Seznam.cz, a.s., Borgis, a.s., ČTK, DPA, Reuters, fotobanka Profimedia.Publikování nebo další šíření obsahu serveru Sport.cz je bez písemného souhlasu společnosti Borgis, a.s. zakázáno. RSS kanály serveru Sport.cz jsou určeny pouze pro osobní užití. Jakékoli kopírování, šíření nebo využívání obsahu RSS kanálů serveru Sport.cz bez předchozího písemného souhlasu společnosti Borgis a.s. není dovoleno. Dodavatelem obsahu serveru Sport.cz a osobou vykonávající redakční odpovědnost je společnost BORGIS a.s. Šiřitelem reklamy na serveru Sport.cz je společnost Seznam.cz, a.s., IČO 26168685.
Cruzeiro e Vasco fazem duelo de SAFs em reformulação e com diferença de gastos que não se vê na tabela
O Vasco visita o Cruzeiro às 16h em Uberlândia no duelo entre duas SAFs em reestruturação. Apesar do modelo de gestão distinto e de uma política de gastos bem diferente para a formação de equipes competitivas, os dois clubes amargam o meio da tabela do Brasileirão e sofrem com críticas de suas torcidas. Depois de o Vasco pedir recuperação judicial para aliviar as despesas para administrar a SAF — há um ano o clube está sob controle do associativo e do presidente Pedrinho, ainda sob liminar da Justiça do Rio contra a 777 Partners — a direção investiu de forma controlada em reforços, que somados aos atletas mais caros que já estavam no clube tentam cumprir bom papel. Hoje o time ocupa a nona posição. Foram 7,5 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 45 milhões) gastos pela diretoria até abril, […]
Group One action from ParisLongchamp, Southwell and Sha Tin on the cards
Group One action on the channel today with ParisLongchamp and Sha Tin staging quality racing as well as competitive action from Southwell, live on Sky Sports Racing...3.25 ParisLongchamp - Sosie and Map Of Stars headline Group One sextetAndre Fabre has won the Prix Ganay, Europe's first Group One of the season, on a record seven occasions and Sosie looks to have strong claims of making it eight. A son of Sea the Stars, he enjoyed a splendid campaign winning the Group One Grand Prix de Paris before finishing fourth when sent off as favourite for the Arc. He may need this reappearance but should be in the mix under Maxime Guyon.Map Of Stars has suffered defeat just once in his six-race career and Francis-Henri Graffard's four-year-old deserves a crack at the top table. He will have race fitness in his […]
Noční děkovačka mistrů! Na fotbalisty Slavie čekaly v noci u Edenu stovky fanoušků
Když před nedělní druhou hodinou ranní vystoupili Chorý a spol. z vlaku na zastávce u Edenu, mohli nabýt dojmu, že Praha právě slaví příchod nového roku. Oblohu i podchod od stanice ke stadionu ozařovaly světlice.Příznivci vytvořili hráčům a realizačnímu týmu tradiční uličku slávy, se svými hrdiny si plácali a skandovali jejich jména. Vystřihli několikrát také oslavný chorál vítězů „Tak jsme první no a co“.Než slávisté vklouzli do stadionu, kapitán Jan Bořil, obklopený fanoušky, vedl známou pozápasovou děkovačku. Příznivci po ní ještě pár minut vyvolávali jména čerstvých mistrů, kteří v té chvíli už pokračovali v mistrovských oslavách v útrobách Edenu. Vítězný pohár dostanou slávisté po závěrečném duelu nadstavby, po domácím utkání s Baníkem Ostrava (v sobotu 24. května). Mistrovské oslavy zažívají červenobílí po čtyřech letech.
Stephen Curry plays superhero, with help from unsung heroes, as shorthanded Warriors take 2-1 lead vs. Rockets
Getty Images One night after LeBron James dialed up 38 points and scored 20 in a single half for the 100th time in his playoff career, Stephen Curry followed up with his own "How is he still doing this?" performance in Game 3 against the Rockets on Saturday. The only difference: Curry's masterpiece came in a win. Playing without Jimmy Butler, who was nursing a pelvic and deep glute contusion, Curry put on his cape to the tune of 36 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, five 3-pointers and even a pair of blocked shots as the Warriors -- who trailed by as many as 13 in the first half and managed just 18 first-quarter points -- pulled off a 104-93 victory to take a 2-1 lead in what continues to be a street-fight series. "In this series, no game is gonna be pretty," […]
2025 NBA playoffs: How the Warriors stepped up to take Game 3 without Jimmy Butler
SAN FRANCISCO — Game 3 of the Golden State Warriors' first-round series with the Houston Rockets on Saturday was nothing short of a slugfest. They took part in a physical battle all night with bodies hitting the floor from the opening tip through the final buzzer.Missing Jimmy Butler, the Warriors relied on their depth and defense, while the Rockets couldn't contain Stephen Curry or buy a bucket late in the contest. By night's end, one team's poise and a familiar superstar's brilliance proved to be the difference as Golden State secured a 104-93 victory and a 2-1 series lead.Another 'Stephortless' performanceCurry did that thing where he takes over a game in its most pivotal moments — hitting dagger 3s, converting crafty layups and exploiting any mismatch on a big.Game 3 was no different. While both teams had their struggles early […]
Be the first to leave a comment