Tiktuknu: clip summarizing today's events in sports, 3.2 (Sport1)
Lionel Messi does not rule out playing for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup, but admitted that age will make it difficult for Alin to take part in the tournament.
Messi, who will turn 39 during the next World Cup, said last year that the tournament in Qatar would be his last.
However, with Argentina winning the prized title, Messi now says he is open to the possibility of playing in the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico in three years' time.
"Due to age it will be difficult to reach 2026," Messi said in an interview with the Argentinian "Ola".
"I like playing soccer and as long as I feel I'm in good shape and enjoying it, I'm going to continue it. Right now it seems like there's still a long time until the next World Cup, but it depends on how my career progresses."
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni also supports the move.
"I think Messi can make it to the next World Cup," Scaloni told Spanish radio station Calvia FM last month.
"It will depend a lot on what he wants and what will happen over time, that he will feel good. The doors will always be open. He is happy on the field, and for us it will be good."
Enjoying the videos today more than a year ago at the moment of truth.
Messi (Photo: Reuters)
Messi already holds the record for World Cup appearances after breaking the previous record held by Germany's Luther Matthäus when he played his 26th game in the dramatic 2022 final victory over France.
He is also one of only five players who have participated in five different World Cups.
If he plays in 2026 as well, he will have a chance to become the World Cup's all-time top scorer.
After scoring 7 times in Qatar to lead Argentina to their third World Cup win, he now has 13 goals in total at the tournament, three behind Germany's Miroslav Klose.
More in Walla!
The correspondence of Barcelona officials: "Messi is a rat, a hormonal dwarf who became a dictator"
To the full article
We don't talk about it.
Messi and Mbappe (Photo: Reuters)
Messi scored twice in the World Cup final in Doha during the unforgettable 3:3 draw against France in the final.
"I saw the trophy there, so close, that I was really drawn to be next to it, to touch it, to kiss it. It was such an exciting feeling to say 'it's over,'" Messi said of lifting the trophy.
"To this day it remains such a moving moment. Even when I see it now, I enjoy it more than I did at that moment. Since then things have calmed down, so it moves me more. I see a lot of videos now on social networks."
Messi's PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe finished on the losing side in the final, despite scoring a hat-trick, and the former Barcelona star, who himself experienced defeat in the 2014 World Cup final, admitted the two had not spoken about that final until today.
"We talked a little about the game, about the celebrations. But that's it," Messi said.
"I happened to be on the other side, I lost in the final, and then I didn't want any of this talk. That's why I don't want to bring up the subject, but I have no problems with Killian."
sport
world football
French league
Tags
Lionel Messi
Argentina national team
Kylian Mbappe
