Argentinian national team striker and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has revealed the conditions for him to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 36-year-old player was quoted by Infobae as saying:
It depends on how I feel. How I am physically and being realistic with myself. And knowing if I am up to the task of competing and helping my teammates. There is still some time and I don’t know how I will be at that moment.
Lionel Messi
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The current title holder is the Argentinian national team, who defeated France in the final of the 2022 tournament in Qatar (3-3, 4-2 in penalties).
Last June, Messi mentioned that he was unlikely to play in the 2026 World Cup. Argentinian defender Nicolas Tagliafico stated that Messi will only participate in the tournament if the team wins the 2024 Copa America.