Messi’s Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Health First

Argentina soccer superstar Lionel Messi has said he hopes to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though acknowledges that his health will dictate his role in the competition.

In an interview with NBC News, the 38-year-old hinted at playing in soccer’s biggest competition next year, which will take place next summer across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“I am going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start the preseason next year with Inter (Miami) and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful to the group, to the national team, and then make a decision,” said the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“I’m really eager because it’s the World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last World Cup and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions, so hopefully God will allow me to do it once again.”

The former Blaugrana standout scored twice in the 2022 final as well as netting his penalty in the shootout on his way to lifting soccer’s most prestigious trophy.

“It was the dream of my life,” Messi said of the triumph.

“It was also true that it was the only thing missing at a professional level because I had been lucky enough to have achieved everything at an individual level, at a team level with Barcelona, and I think that’s every player’s dream.