Lionel Messi says he’s focused on next year’s Copa America but won’t rule out 2026 World Cup

Sofia Benavidez

(CNN) – Lionel Messi told ESPN/Star+ that while the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has not completely ruled out playing for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, his focus It is the documentary “Champions, One Year Later” about the America’s Cup competition to be held in the United States next June.

“As long as I feel good and can continue to contribute, I will (continue playing for Argentina). The only thing on my mind today was to play in the Copa America and be able to compete,” he said.

“Time will tell if I can play in the next World Cup, but the reality is I’m usually not old enough to play in a World Cup,” he added.

“I’m always going to try to compete at my best and I’m the first one to know when I’m up to that level and when I’m not up to that level.”

Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí win 2023 Ballon d’Or

Messi led Argentina to a fifth World Cup title in 2022, winning the Ballon d’Or as best player along the way and scoring twice in the final against France.

The victory, and the 2021 Copa America trophy, came after Argentina and Messi had missed out on international glory for years, as they lost three major finals in a row: the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa America and the 2016 Copa America.

“After so many years of pain, now we are living through a special moment that I have never experienced before and I want to enjoy it to the fullest,” Messi said.

“I feel good in the team, it’s very united and very strong. A group of people who enjoy being together. I want to take advantage of it all and not think about it for two or three years, which is a lot in football.”

Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

Since winning the World Cup in Qatar, Messi has crossed the Atlantic to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and sparked a new wave of interest in soccer among Americans.

He added that he was “aware” that he was in the “minor leagues” when he joined MLS, but said, “It’s a very personal matter and depends on how each person approaches it and competes.” .”

After Messi’s arrival in July, Inter Miami started a club-record 12-game unbeaten run and won their first trophy, the League Cup, but with Messi missing part of the season, the team struggled No win in 7 games. That time because of injury.

“Maybe we will do well in the Copa America and everything will go well, let me continue. Maybe not. It will be difficult,” Messi said.

“Becoming world champion gave me peace of mind for a change because I knew that in my job I had achieved everything.”

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