Argentina’s Messi targets 2026 World Cup despite age and fitness concerns

Lionel Messi, still chasing international glory nearly two decades into his career, says he hopes to play at the 2026 World Cup in North America, acknowledging his age and fitness will dictate his role in defending Argentina’s 2022 title. The Argentine great recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami through 2028, signalling he is not yet considering retirement despite turning 39 next June.

Speaking to NBC News, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he will take time next year to assess his physical condition before deciding whether to play in the tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” the Argentine captain said in the interview released on Monday.

“I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my team, if I am there. I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter (and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful and then make a decision.

“I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team.” Messi has enjoyed a professional career spanning more than 20 years, debuting for Barcelona at just 17 in 2004 before playing for Paris St Germain and joining Inter Miami in 2023. He sparked fresh interest in the American league in a critical moment for the sport in North America ahead of hosting next year’s World Cup.

While Messi has amassed countless club and individual accolades, international success had eluded him until claiming the 2021 Copa America before beating France 4-2 on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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

“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. When you ask a player what their dream is, it’s to be world champion.”

Messi has played in 195 matches and scored a record 114 goals for his country. A return for the 2026 World Cup would mark his sixth appearance in the tournament.

Meanwhile, two MLS clubs that missed the playoffs dumped head coaches on Monday with the Colorado Rapids parting ways with Chris Armas and the New York Red Bulls firing Sandro Schwarz.

Armas was involved in talks on a new contract after his deal expired following the season but the team did not make a new deal.

He went 33-36 with 13 drawn over the past to seasons with Colorado, which reached last year’s playoffs but missed out this year, placing 11th in the Western Conference at 11-15 with eight drawn.

The 53-year-old American had guided the Red Bulls to the MLS Supporters Shield for the best regular-season record in 2018.

“We’re grateful to Chris for the professionalism and passion he brought to the club,” Rapids president Padraig Smith said.

“He helped our group take meaningful steps forward over the past two seasons and leaves behind a strong culture that will serve us well as we begin this next chapter.”

The Red Bulls ditched 47-year-old German Schwarz in a leadership shakeup that saw Julian de Guzman replace Jochen Schneider as the club’s head of sport for the 2026 campaign.

Schwarz went 31-29 with 21 drawn with the Red Bulls since arriving from Hertha Berlin in December 2023.

The Red Bulls, who lost last year’s MLS Cup final to the Los Angeles Galaxy, were 10th in the Eastern Conference this year at 12-15 with seven drawn and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

“I would like to thank Sandro for the last two seasons, especially coaching this team during a memorable 2024 playoff run,” Schneider said.

Agencies