Lionel Messi doesn’t rule out playing in 2026 World Cup, claiming it depends on ‘how I’m feeling’ as he commits to next year’s Copa America

Lionel Messi did not completely rule out participation in the 2026 World Cup in North America, claiming his involvement would depend on his fitness.

Messi, 36, who moved to the United States, host of the next World Cup, in the summer to join Inter Miami, helped Argentina win the prestigious title in Qatar last year.

Despite Argentine hopes that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will still steer the ship in 2026, Messi has previously tempered expectations that he will play in the next edition of the tournament.

However, Messi did not completely rule out the possibility as he promised himself to captain the Albicleste at the Copa America.

“I already said that,” Messi told the Argentine comedian Migue Granados on OLGA. ‘It still seems far away. Yes, my goal is to play in the Copa America, which is also here in the United States and next year. Then we’ll see.

Messi, 36, who made the move to the US to join MLS side Inter Miami this summer

‘It mainly depends on how I feel. We will have to look at the competition here, the level competition. Don’t know.’

The response was slightly more optimistic than before. In June he insisted he would not attend the next World Cup.

According to Efe News Agency, when asked about playing in the next edition, Messi said: ‘I don’t think so. (Qatar) was my last World Cup.

‘I’ll see how things go, but as it is now, no, I’m not going to the next World Cup.’

Messi provided seven goals and three assists as Argentina won the third World Cup title in its history.

Many have suggested that their success in December last year could influence the Ballon d’Or voting later this year, with Messi tipped to claim the title.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in America, Canada and Mexico, so it wouldn’t be far from home for the Argentina legend.

Many believe the World Cup could influence the Ballon d’Or vote, with Messi given the chance to win

He and his young family moved to South Florida in July when he joined the Herons.

And they look set to stay as Messi, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract worth $50-60 million per season – recently bought a sprawling new $10.75 million estate in Fort Lauderdale, with ten bedrooms, a spa area, two boat docks and a swimming pool.

He already owned a $9 million luxury condo in Miami — and now has two other condos in Sunny Isles Beach, according to reports — but was recently spotted house hunting in the Boca Raton area with Antonela and Thiago.

But Messi signed last week for a new 10,500-square-foot building within the gated community of Bay Colony, one of the floating neighborhoods north of Fort Lauderdale.