Lionel Messi has lived against the clock for nearly 20 years, but even the Argentina captain now admits the clock may have the final say on whether he takes part in the 2026 World Cup.
Ahead of Inter Miami’s MLS Cup final, Messi gave his clearest hint yet that he is not sure he is physically fit to play the tournament he once won in unforgettable fashion.
“I hope to be there. I said before that I want to be there,” Messi told ESPN. “In the worst case scenario, we’ll be watching it live, but it’s going to be special.”
It was an unusually subdued insight from a player who has built a career on setting and achieving impossible standards.
Messi will turn 39 during the tournament and while he remains one of MLS’s mainstays, he was honest about what is expected of him in the next World Cup cycle. Still, he insisted Argentina would arrive in North America prepared to defend its title.
“The World Cup is special for everyone, but especially for us,” Messi said. “We have an extraordinary group of players, and their drive and excitement has never changed since Coach Scaloni took over.”
Messi warns of World Cup chaos
Argentina enters 2026 as champions, but Messi stressed that world championships are too unpredictable for champions to feel safe.
“The World Cup is very difficult. Any national team can complicate things and be eliminated,” he said. “Details can exclude you.
“We might hit the post, we might lose in the penalty shootout… We were lucky last time. Even though we had the upper hand in some games, they still went to the penalty shootout and we had Dibs who helped us win. Next time we might not win.”
But Messi believes the core of Argentina’s success – mentality, chemistry and Scaloni’s leadership – remains intact. The mix of veterans and up-and-coming stars has created an environment where newcomers can adapt quickly, he said.
“When the group is like this, it’s easier for newcomers to fit in,” Messi said. “We have winners on the team. That’s what makes everything contagious.”
He also pointed to the wealth of candidates likely to challenge Argentina, naming Spain, England, France, Germany and Brazil as the strongest threats.
“There is a very good national team that wants to be champions,” he added.
Fitness will decide Messi’s World Cup fate
Messi’s biggest variable is his physical condition. He recently signed a new three-year deal with Inter Miami and continues to perform at a world-class level, but admitted the MLS calendar requires an unusual rhythm for a player accustomed to Europe.
“I will evaluate it day by day,” Messi said. “To be honest and realistic, you have to feel good. I felt very good this year. Everything changes when the preseason is in the middle. It’s like starting from scratch. I think that will help me a lot.”
His decision to rest his hamstring problem during Argentina’s qualifiers shows he is prioritizing his long-term health, something he rarely acknowledged early in his career.
It is still unclear whether Messi will finally wear the Argentina national team uniform next summer. What is clear is that he wants it, but only if he believes he can uphold the standards he has set in Qatar.
