(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Argentina captain Lionel Messi has left open the possibility of
playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but says his participation will
depend on 'many things', trend reports citing xinhua .
The Paris Saint-Germain forward previously declared the 2022
World Cup in Qatar would mark his last appearance in football's
showpiece event.
But Argentina's triumphant campaign - in which Messi scored
seven goals and won the best player award of the tournament - has
prompted him to reconsider the possibility of playing in a sixth
World Cup.
Messi will turn 39 during the tournament in the United States,
Canada and Mexico.
'I don't know, I always said that due to age it seems to me that
it will be very difficult to make it to 2026,' the 35-year-old told
Argentine sports daily Ole.
'I love playing football, I love what I do and as long as I'm
good and feel fit and continue to enjoy it, I'm going to do it. But
it seems like a lot to go until next World Cup. I'm going to see
where my career is going, what I am going to do and it depends on
many things.'
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni told reporters in December last
year that he would keep the No. 10 shirt for Messi for as long as
he wants to play on.
Meanwhile, Messi said he was still on an emotional high after
Argentina's penalty shootout victory over France in the World Cup
final in Lusail on December 18, 2022.
It came less than 18 months after the Albiceleste beat Brazil in
the Copa America final - the team's first major trophy since the
1993 Copa America.
'Achieving it at the end of my career was amazing,' Messi said.
'If it had happened earlier, it would have been great too,
obviously. But then you have your whole career ahead of you. My
career has almost ended and I don't think there's a better way to
finish than that.'
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