Despite the World Cup being less than three months away, Argentina still don’t know if Lionel Messi will be playing in it.
It seems fairly obvious that the 2022-winning captain will be in the Americas, given he’s been in their March friendly squad, but he insists that isn’t the case.
Now at 38-years-old, the Inter Miami forward doesn’t want to burden his side, even if Lionel Scaloni is desperate for him to play.
He’s made that clear, and that’s why Argentina is still desperately awaiting a final decision.
Giving his latest update ahead of a April 1st friendly against Zambia, Scaloni said: “The important thing is that Leo comes and enjoys it, if he ultimately decides to come.
“Theoretically, he’s the only one, although you never know. When you stop playing, you miss all those things and especially a World Cup.
“He should enjoy it and treat it as such. Then, of course, we know he competes and how he does it.
“And he should go knowing that he doesn’t have the pressure of winning it again.
“I said that before he won it, and even more so now. Besides, everyone wants to see him play, and that’s what we all want.”
What has Messi said?
Speaking in September 2025, Messi shocked everyone by sounding more out than in.
“I don’t think I’ll play in another World Cup,” he said.
“The most logical thing is that it won’t happen, but here we are.
“I’m hopeful and eager. But it’s day by day, game by game.”
He went on to add: “This year we had a lot of matches, a lot of sequences of games. Luckily, I was able to play three in a row; it’s day by day, feeling the sensations.
“It’s clear that today was the last one with points at stake here, but day by day I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. If I feel good, I enjoy it. If I feel bad, I’d rather not be here.”
Leave a Reply