After hoisting his first World Cup trophy with Argentina in December, Lionel Messi stated that event can be his final, however now it seems he is open to the opportunity of enjoying within the 2026 occasion.

“Because of age it’ll be difficult to make 2026,” Messi, 35, advised Diario Ole, a sports activities newspaper in Argentina. “I love playing football and while I feel like I’m in good shape and enjoying this, I’m going to keep at it. It seems like a long time until the next World Cup, but it depends on how my career is going.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni would like to see the celebrity — who’s one in every of solely six gamers to compete in 5 World Cups — go well with up for the subsequent World Cup, which can be held within the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“I think Messi can make it to the next World Cup,” Scaloni advised Spanish radio Calvia FM final month. “It will depend a lot on what he wants and what happens over time, that he feels good. The doors will always be open. He is happy on the pitch, and for us (it) would be good.”

After scoring seven objectives within the 2022 World Cup, Messi may change into the World Cup’s all-time main scorer if he fits up in 2026. He has 13 objectives, three behind record-holder Miroslav Klose of Germany.