Lionel Messi reveals what he values more than 2026 FIFA World Cup

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has insisted that he prioritizes the ability to stay happy and healthy at this point in his career, instead of fixating on reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.

Currently 37 years, Messi ensure Argentina move a step closer towards next World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, by scoring an hat trick in Argentina’s World Cup win over Bolivia on Tuesday

Messi who suggested that the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when he led Argentina to the title, would be his last has now acknowledged that the case might remain the same despite his form.

Speaking after scoring a hat trick in Argentina’s World Cup win over Bolivia on Tuesday Messi acknowledged that “I know these can be my last games.”

“In the moment, we will see,” Messi said Thursday after receiving the America legend award from Spanish publication Marca. “I don’t like to accelerate time or look ahead. I try to enjoy every day. I hope I can keep playing at this level to feel good and be happy.

“When I get to do what I love I am happy. I value that more than reaching the 2026 tournament. I haven’t set a goal to reach the World Cup, but more so to live day-to-day and be well.”

Messi has clinched 48 major trophies in his career, but despite his achievement, he remains determined to keep succeeding now with Inter Miami.

“The step I took to come here [to Inter Miami] didn’t mean retiring,” he said. “We came here to try and keep making this team big, to help the development by winning titles which we have and we’re close to clinching more.”

Messi led Miami to a meteoric rise in 2024, inspiring a 21-4-8 (W-L-D) record to lift the Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield and will break the league record for most points in a single season with a win over the New England Revolution Saturday.