Lionel Messi wants to play in the 2026 World Cup. He just hasn’t made a final decision yet.
Messi – the reigning Argentine World Cup champion and Inter Miami star in Major League Soccer – again expressed his desire to play in next summer’s tournament co-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico during an interview on ‘NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas.’
“Well, the truth is that yes, it’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup. And I would like to be there. To feel well and to be an important part of helping my national team – if I am there,” Messi said in the interview, which aired on Monday, Oct. 27.
“I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter [Miami] and see if I can really be 100%. I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup.
“We’re coming off winning the last World Cup, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions, so hopefully God will allow me to do it once again.”
Messi discussed several topics during the interview, shared in social media clips and airing less than a week after he signed a three-year contract extension to prolong his career with Inter Miami in the U.S.
“I’ve always said that I’ll base my decision on how I feel day to day and how I feel physically and mentally to continue playing and to continue being part of this club,” Messi said about re-signing with Miami. “And honestly, I felt really good during the year. I’m happy living in Miami, as is my family, and honestly, the decision was easy.”
Messi also believes “growing soccer in the United States is possible” and thinks the country will be spectacular during World Cup next summer.
“I think there are still big changes to be made so that teams can continue to grow, but I think there is a very important foundation in place where teams are prepared and want that growth, and I think it’s time to do it,” he said.
Considered the greatest soccer player of his time, Messi is also a fan of GOATs in other sports like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in tennis, and Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Steph Curry in basketball.
He also says fellow Argentine World Cup winner Diego Maradona was “always our greatest idol and greatest admiration for everything he meant to us. I was little and saw him play live, Diego transcended everything.”
Messi and Inter Miami have a 1-0 series lead against Nashville SC in their best-of-three, first-round series in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Game 2 is Saturday, Nov. 1 in Nashville.