Lionel Messi is not fully ruling out being around for the 2026 World Cup where his Argentina team will be defending champions.
In an interview with Saturday's edition of French sports daily L'Equipe, Argentina captain Messi said it would be "difficult" to play at the tournament given that he would turn 39 during it.
The 2026 World Cup takes place in Mexico, Canada and the United States, where Messi is now playing at Inter Miami. Before that comes the 2024 Copa America, also in the U.S. and with Messi's team title holders as well.
"Of course you always want to play such games. Especially when you have become world champion," said Messi, who earlier in the week won an eighth Ballon d'Or award.
Messi won the World Cup in his fifth attempt last year in Qatar to crown his glittering career. He said before that tournament it would his last World Cup but he has been a little more vague since then.
He told L'Equipe he didn't want to look so far ahead, and added: "It is not only about just being part of it but to feel good and do your share for the team.
"Knowing how old I will be by then it appears difficult for me but we will see how I feel physically," he said.
Messi also said in the interview he was missing the Champions League which he won four times with Barcelona. But he said he was not eyeing a return to Europe where he has won every title on offer during a long spell at Barca and two years at Paris Saint-Germain.
