Will Messi play 2026 World Cup? Challenges and motivation

Lionel Messi, the former captain of the 2022 World Cup and one of the greatest success stories in football history, is attracting a lot of attention regarding his future at the 2026 World Cup. Messi is currently playing for Inter Miami in the US Major League Soccer (MLS), where the 2026 World Cup will be held. However, at the age of 37, the question will will Messi play 2026 World Cup? is causing controversy among the media and fans. Let’s find out with Kingsoccertips through the article below!

Messi health and form

Messi at 37: A Symbol of endurance

For many players, 37 is the final stage of their career. However, Messi has proven that he is special. Joining Inter Miami in 2023, he quickly became the heart of the team, scoring 33 goals in 37 appearances. In addition, Messi also helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup, confirming that his form is still guaranteed at a high level.

The influence of football history and personal motivation

In football, maintaining form to this age is an amazing achievement. Messi has not only maintained his creativity and scoring ability, but also maintained his agility in every interaction on the field. However, Messi’s motivation also depends on his ability to adapt, as he himself has repeatedly admitted that he has no long-term plans for the 2026 World Cup.

“I hope to have a good end to the season and then a good pre-season, which I didn’t have last season,” Messi told Fabrizio Romano.

Will Messi play 2026 World Cup?

Age and fitness challenges

Is Messi playing in the World Cup 2026? By the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi will be 39 years old, an age when most footballers have retired from international football. This is the stage when the physical strength and speed of many stars will decline, and maintaining peak form will become a big challenge. However, for Messi, a player famous for his ability to overcome all age limits, participating in the 2026 World Cup is still possible if he continues to maintain his current impressive form. However, there will be factors to consider, especially in terms of fitness, because at this age, his body will need to recover faster, something that only experienced players with special care can overcome.

Furthermore, playing in a major tournament like the World Cup at the age of 39 requires careful preparation and constant physical care, as each match in this tournament has a great intensity and pressure. However, it cannot be denied that Messi, with his excellent technique and tactical thinking ability, can still contribute a lot to the team, even if he does not run as much as before.

Mental motivation and satisfaction

Besides the physical challenge, another important factor that Messi must consider is mental motivation. Winning the 2022 World Cup is the pinnacle of his career, helping Messi achieve a big dream that many other generations of players have not been able to achieve. This victory not only helps him complete his collection of titles but also relieves some of the enormous pressure, as Messi has faced questions about his ability to win the World Cup for many years. With the success in Qatar, the pressure to prove something has been greatly reduced.

However, is Messi going to play in the 2026 World Cup is more than a goal to achieve but a decision based on passion and love for football. Messi has it all, but the love for the game and the desire to compete could be the factor that motivates him to continue to dedicate himself once again.

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Argentina and Messi’s role

In Argentina’s style of play, Messi has always been the brightest star, the leader and the soul of the team. However, after winning the 2022 World Cup, Argentina has had promising young faces such as Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister. The maturity of this group of players helps to reduce the burden on Messi, creating a squad with depth and not completely dependent on him. This helps Messi play more comfortably and avoid having to shoulder the entire responsibility of the team.

However, Messi’s role in the team is still irreplaceable. He is still the key star, the one who is capable of creating moments of genius to help the team overcome difficult times. This will make Messi seriously consider participating in the 2026 World Cup. Even though the younger players have improved, Messi is still the symbol and leader of the team, and this role may continue to be an important factor in deciding his participation.

Messi in the final stages of his career

Life at Inter Miami

After leaving PSG and Europe, Messi chose Inter Miami as his new big team in his career. Here, he not only brought excitement to American fans, but also had a big impact on the team’s achievements. Messi himself was the captain and the top scorer for Inter Miami in the last two seasons.

Plans after retiring from the pitch

Messi has shared many times that he does not want to become a coach after retiring. Instead, he plans to focus on his family and enjoy a simple life. The Messi Foundation building will still be an important part of his post-football activities.

In Summary

So will Messi play in the 2026 World Cup? Lionel Messi wants to enjoy every day as the Argentine superstar has yet to make a decision on his future and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 37-year-old currently plays for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, where the next World Cup will be held. With Messi’s current fitness, the former Barcelona star could easily continue for a few more years. However, the final decision will still depend largely on his personal feelings and desires.