Lionel Messi Speaks On Playing In 2026 World Cup

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has ruled out any possibility of participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Messi said he would like to be at the venue of the 2026 World Cup to watch matches but not to participate as a football player.

Speaking to the Chinese media on a Chinese stream platform, the 35-year-old, who led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar last December, was asked if he would participate in the 2026 World Cup and the former Barcelona captain said,

“I don’t think I will participate in the next edition of the World Cup.

“I have not changed my mind about that. I’d like to be there to watch it, but I’m not going to participate,” he said.

The 2026 World Cup will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada.