Will Messi play in the 2026 World Cup? This is what Argentina coach Scaloni said

Lionel Messi has been playing for the Argentina National Team for almost 20 years. He debuted with the U-20 team in 2004 and a year later began playing with the senior national team. Since then he has starred in six Copa America and five World Cups, winning a title in each of them in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and becoming the player with the most goals and games in the history of the South American team.

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After years of struggling due to disappointing results and harsh criticism from fans and the press, Leo has assured that he intends to continue playing for Argentina for a while longer, enjoying being world champion. That is why it is a fact that he will be at this year's Copa America to be held in the United States, between June 20 and July 14.

What is not clear is what will happen after that. Angel Di Maria, another of the team's stars, has already announced that after the Copa America he will retire from the Argentine national team. And some believe Messi may do the same. This is because the next major tournament will be in 2026, the World Cup to be jointly organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada, and there Lionel will be 39 years old, an unusual age for a player in such a top-level competition.

However, his coach believes he can do it. In an interview with Marca newspaper, Lionel Scaloni was asked if he thinks it is possible that Messi will be in the next World Cup and he answered: "Today I tell you that there are players who have played at that age, and in his case I wouldn't be surprised. But there is so much more to come, and today in soccer time goes by very fast. I think so. On a physical level I have no doubts, only on a mental level, and that depends on how he is".

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It would be a new record

Lionel Messi has broken many records throughout his professional career, being the all-time top scorer, the most decorated player, the top scorer for Barcelona and the Argentine national team. And if he plays in the United States, Mexico and Canada 2026 he will break another one: he will be the first player to participate in six World Cups. However, others can match that mark, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Guardado.