Messi leaves the door open about the chance of playing in the 2026 World Cup – 09/21/2023 – Sport

Argentine star Lionel Messi, 36, left open the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico, when he will be 39 years old.

“I don’t know [se chego até a próxima Copa do Mundo]. I still don’t think [sobre isso] because it’s far away”, said the Argentine during an interview with the Olga channel, on YouTube, released this Thursday (21).

In June, the Argentine player had said that, “in principle”, he would not compete in the next World Cup. “I’ll see how things happen, but, at first, I don’t think I’ll make it to the next World Cup,” he declared at the time, in an interview with Chinese sports newspaper Titan Sports.

At the beginning of February, the seven-times best player in the world had already expressed pessimism about his participation in the next World Cup. “Given his age, it seems very difficult to me,” he had told the Olé newspaper.

Messi led Argentina in the campaign that resulted in the country’s third title at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, beating France in the final on penalties (4-2) after a 3-3 draw in normal time and extra time.

In the interview with the YouTube channel published this Thursday, the Inter Miami player said that the main objective at the moment is to reach the Copa América in good condition.

“Yes, I am thinking about the Copa América. The objective is to get to the Copa América well in the United States”, added the star, in reference to the tournament between teams from the Americas that will be played between June and July 2024.

“After the Copa América we’ll see, it depends on how I’m doing. There’s still three years to go [até a Copa do Mundo]”, he added.

The star also commented on his time at Paris Saint-Germain and indicated that he was bothered by the French club’s lack of recognition for winning the World Cup in Qatar.

“I was the only player [da seleção argentina] that was not recognized [em seu clube pela vitória no Mundial]”, said the player. He stated that the victory against France in the World Cup final may have contributed to the lack of tributes from PSG. “It’s our fault, [os franceses] They weren’t world champions again.”

“The truth is, it wasn’t what I expected. [a passagem pelo PSG]but I always say that things happen for a reason,” said the Argentine. “Although I wasn’t doing well there, I was world champion.”

Messi left the team from the French capital in June, and was then announced as a reinforcement for Inter Miami, from the USA.

He also acknowledged that the lesser pressure he receives from fans compared to European clubs contributed to his choice of football in the USA.

In less than a month at the new club in the USA, Messi led his teammates to the first title in Inter Miami’s history. Founded in 2018, the North American team won the Leagues Cup in August, a competition that brings together clubs from the United States and Mexico.

With the 10-9 victory over Nashville SC on penalties, after a 1-1 draw, the Argentine became the record holder for football achievements at professional level.

The trophy erected at Geodis Park, in Nashville, was the 42nd of the player’s career. The count leaves the star tied with Brazilian Daniel Alves, who was his teammate at Barcelona, ​​as the owner of the most titles in the sport.