Messi says uncertain about 2026 World Cup participation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Sep 2023 23:24

The Argentine star says now he is focused on the 2024 US-hosted Copa America tournament.

Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi during the Major League Soccer (MLS) football match between Inter Miami CF and Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on September 20, 2023 (AFP)

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said he is unsure about his participation in the next World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.

"I don't know if I will get there," he told Argentine media personality Miguel Garrados in an interview broadcast on YouTube on Thursday.

"I don't think about it yet because it is far away," Messi, who in 2026 will be 39 years old, indicated.

For now, the star made it clear that he is focused on the 2024 US-hosted Copa America tournament.

"After the Copa America we'll see, it will depend on how I feel," he said. "There are still three years left."

Messi led Argentina to victory against France in the World Cup final in Qatar last December.

In the interview, he reiterated his disappointment with not having received sufficient "recognition" at his former French club Paris Saint-Germain after winning the 2022 World Cup.

He claimed he was the only one of his Argentine teammates "who got no recognition" from his club.

"It was not what I expected but I've always said that things happen for a reason," Messi said of his Paris years, adding he "wasn't well there."

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner had already stated on numerous occasions that he was unhappy at PSG before moving to Florida to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.