Exclusive: Lionel Messi is currently aiming for his second World Cup appearance, with the Argentine ace setting his sights on the Los Angeles Olympics as he bids farewell to his international career
At 39, Lionel Messi remains Argentina’s talisman and could win a second World Cup this summer (Image: Charlotte Wilson, Getty Images)
Lionel Messi has set his sights on an Olympic song during his glittering international career. The iconic Argentine player wants to take part in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
And he believes winning gold is the perfect way to end his time with Argentina. Messi, who turned 39 today, is aiming to win his second World Cup title this summer.
The former Barcelona superstar is the most decorated footballer of all time. He has won 46 team trophies and eight Ballon d’Or, including the 2022 World Cup. At the 2008 Beijing Games, he led the Argentina U-23 team to an Olympic gold medal.
And he believes winning a second gold medal in LA would be a fitting finale to his international career. Messi insists he intends to continue playing for as long as possible. However, he believes that the next world championship will be a bridge too far as he will be 43 years old. But the Olympics are a more realistic goal.
Messi has played 201 games and scored 122 goals for Argentina. He has made a great start to the World Cup with five goals in the opening two group stage games.
Argentina will face Jordan in Dallas this weekend before heading to Messi’s home base of Miami, with the final 32 games against opponents yet to be decided.
Despite his illustrious career, Messi has never won the World Cup Golden Boot, but he is now part of a star-studded race that could last all the way to the finals. The likes of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are posing their own challenges to Messi.
Lionel Messi may resign from international stage in Los Angeles (Image: Getty)
Messi could end this summer with a fourth straight major championship win. This marks a major turnaround in his fortunes after more than a decade of suffering on the international stage.
The 39-year-old’s failure to win any trophies with the Argentina national team had been his downfall, but he ended that with the 2021 Copa America. He went on to win the World Cup and defend his continental title.
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