The question “will messi play 2026 world cup?” is becoming a hot topic in the football fan community. Since helping the Argentina team win the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Messi has affirmed his position in world football history. However, at the age of 37, Messi’s playing time in major tournaments such as the World Cup has gradually narrowed, and his ability to participate in the next World Cup is still a question. Can Messi continue to shine at the 2026 World Cup and lift the gold cup for the second time in his career? This is what fans and experts are waiting for. Let’s find out with Bestsoccertips through the content shared below!
Will Messi play 2026 World Cup?
Is messi playing in the World Cup 2026? Messi will turn 39 during this tournament and will most likely not be involved in order to ensure his final World Cup appearance is lifting the prestigious trophy at the Lusail Stadium.
On the other hand, it is safe to say that if he does decide to declare for the next tournament in a year and a half, he will be warmly welcomed by both players and fans.
One player who fans are looking forward to seeing him take part in another major international tournament is Sergio Aguero.
Aguero played alongside Messi for his country before retiring at the age of 33 in 2021 due to heart problems.
And the Manchester City legend has told ESPN that he has every confidence that Messi will play a key role in Argentina’s bid to retain the title.
“I think Messi will live until 2026, he will take care of himself,” the former striker explained.
“Obviously he will not be the same Leo as before, but just give him a few free-kicks or a few assists and he will be successful.
“He can get there physically. If he wants to, he will get there, because he takes care of himself very well.”
How many World Cups has Lionel Messi played in?
Lionel Messi has played in five World Cups so far – 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and Argentina’s triumphant campaign in 2022.
In his first World Cup appearance in Germany, few could have imagined that Messi would become a global legend. At that time, he was just a young player with great potential but unproven on a big stage like the World Cup.
However, during the following World Cups in South Africa (2010), Brazil (2014) and Russia (2018), Messi became one of the brightest stars. Despite his excellent performances, the question of whether he could win the trophy remained an open one, especially when Argentina failed to win the title in those years.
The 2022 tournament in Qatar was where all doubts were finally erased. Messi and the Argentina team won the World Cup after 36 years of waiting, completing a great task in his career. With this championship trophy, Messi confirmed his place in football history, not only as a legend of Barcelona but also as a hero of the entire nation of Argentina.
If he continues to play and participates in the 2026 World Cup in North America, Messi will have the opportunity to appear in six World Cups, an unprecedented achievement in football history.
Explore today’s soccer tips to make accurate predictions and effective betting strategies.
Why isn’t Messi playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Is Messi going to play in the 2026 World Cup? The answer is no. There are some pros and cons that Messi needs to consider.
If he plays in the 2026 World Cup:
- He will set the all-time record for most World Cup appearances with six. He is currently tied with Lothar Mattheus, Antonio Carbajal, Andres Guardado, Rafael Marquez and Cristiano Ronaldo for five.
- It is possible that he will play in a World Cup match at the home stadium of his current club, Inter Miami.
- He could extend his all-time record for most World Cup appearances (26) to Matthaus (25), Miroslav Klose (24) and Paolo Maldini (23) while also holding off Cristiano Ronaldo (22) if his rival also sets a record for a sixth tournament in his early 40s.
- Fan interest in his involvement would be at its peak in the North American market.
However, there are a number of incentives for Messi not to declare for a sixth World Cup:
- He could retire after his current contract with Inter Miami ends at the end of 2025, if he so chooses.
- His final contribution to the World Cup would be to win it, so he would go out on a high note
- It would open the door for Argentina’s young attacking talent to gain invaluable experience, as his 36-year drought ends
- If he is not at 100% in 2026, he could avoid the risk of ending his World Cup career in an unsatisfactory way at the age of 39.
Final Thoughts
Although there is currently no official information about whether will messi play 2026 world cup, it cannot be denied that this player still maintains his class and great influence in football. Whatever Messi’s final decision is, fans always hope that he will continue to contribute to this sport. And if Messi plays the 2026 World Cup, it will certainly be a special event, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career. Anyway, whether or not, Messi has left an indelible mark in the history of world football.
See more: When is soccer player prime age?
