aLionel Messi, an experienced leader and footballer, reflects on the maturity of taking time to develop as a person. The 38-year-old Argentina national team captain is cautious with his emotions but sincere. Like any soccer expert who loves his national team, he is obsessed with the World Cup. But he knows that at this age, he needs to think logically before acting.
Beyond his record as the only player of his kind to have appeared in six World Cups, Messi is motivated by the idea that by 2026 the Albiceleste will be competing for the crown with a group of team-mates who are experiencing special moments of deep spiritual connection towards the same goal: to do their best to become the best in the world. In an interview with ESPN, he shared his feelings and thoughts.
Lionel Messi pulls off the impossible by dropping a no-look pass during training
I see them training and giving their all. We’re an incredible group of guys who get along really well, but in training matches and certain practices, when we have to work hard, we work hard. Everyone does their best, that’s the great strength of this group and this team.
Contrary to what other world champions feel, Messi does not feel the weight of the title on his shoulders. On the contrary, he considers himself a lucky man because the world title injects him with the calm and self-respect to try to win the title again. In this sense, he considers it important to facilitate the integration of newcomers into the national team.
New players are appearing one after another. In addition to those already present, new people are continually arriving. If the group is in such a state, it will be easier for newcomers to integrate. Argentina must take advantage of this moment. Winning the World Cup gives me confidence and peace of mind and allows me to prepare for the match in a different way
But he takes things easy. Self-critical and hard on himself, he knows that in order to compete at a high level at the World Cup, he must be in peak physical condition. Messi will be 39 years old when the World Cup begins and will want to be in exceptional condition to be called up by coach Lionel Scaloni. However, there is a possibility that he will not be called up if the coach decides so.
I wish I could go there. I said before that I would love to go there. Worst case scenario, I’ll go see it live, but it’ll be special.
Messi will work hard to give 100% in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. He is still scheduled to play in the MLS Cup final. His schedule has been lengthened and tightened, so there will be little time for rest. He will do his best to qualify for the World Cup, but he is not too upset if it doesn’t happen.
Leo Messi reflects on Argentina ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Based on what past World Cups have been like and the level shown by some of the elite teams, the Argentine knows the competition is close. The margin was so close that the penalty factor decided Argentina, the defending champions. He believes it is best to wait for the moment and take it one step at a time, as happened in Qatar in 2022.
We were lucky that despite being much better than both the Netherlands and France, the beast that was Dib allowed us to win after it ended up going to penalties. However, there is a possibility that we will go to a penalty shootout and not win, making it very difficult for us to qualify for the World Cup.
