Lionel Messi Not Ready to Commit to 2026 World Cup, 'I'm Going Game by Game'

Lionel Messi declined to commit to representing Argentina in the 2026 World Cup when speaking to reporters Thursday, per The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas.

Messi's comments came after he scored two goals against Venezuela Thursday in what he told reporters would be his final World Cup qualifying match.

"Well, it's like I've said before. I don't think I'll play the next World Cup — not because of age, but the most logical thing is that I won't," Messi said after Thursday's 3-0 win in Argentina, per Cardenas. "But here I am — excited, wanting to play, but like I've always said, I go day by day, game by game. This year we had so many matches, one after another. I just came off a break for a few days, then had another setback."

Messi continued, per Cardenas: "I'm going game by game. At this stage, nine months — it goes by fast, but at the same time, it's a lot of time. We finish the season at the end of the year, then I'll have a preseason.

"That leaves me six months, and we'll see how I feel. Hopefully I can have a good preseason, finish this MLS season well, hopefully win the championship, and then get ready."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19 of next year.

Messi said ahead of the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar that he expected the tournament to be his "last World Cup."

He went on to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball for his role in leading Argentina to victory over France in the final.

Messi said again in 2023, just after announcing he would join MLS as a member of Inter Miami, that he believed Qatar had been his final World Cup.

The 38-year-old forward is currently playing with Inter Miami on a contract that expires in December, but USA Today's Safid Deen reported in July the club is "working on" an extension with Messi.

BBC's Nizaar Kinsella had previously reported that "there is widespread belief from officials at the club and within MLS" that Messi will re-sign with Inter Miami despite reported interest from the Saudi Arabian Pro League.

Messi most recently told reporters that he would not travel with Argentina to face Ecuador for next Tuesday's final game of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers because he was recovering from an injury and because being in shape for MLS play was "a priority," per Goal.com's Alejandro Orellana.

Messi's health down the final stretch of the MLS season could ultimately play a role in his decision whether to join Argentina for the ramp-up to the World Cup next spring.

Inter Miami will look to bounce back from last Sunday's Leagues Cup final loss to Seattle when the MLS regular season resumes a week from Saturday against Charlotte.