Lionel Messi has responded to questions about whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and now his team is preparing to defend their title in the Copa America.

In an interview with Infobae, the Argentine forward discussed whether he plans to play in the 2026 World Cup. Messi stated that one must be realistic.

"It depends on how I feel, what physical condition I am in. It's important to be realistic and know if I'm in the right condition to compete and help my teammates," Lionel said.

To recall, Messi will be 39 years old in 2026. He is the fourth player in history to have played in five World Cups, where he scored ten goals. The 2026 World Cup could potentially be his sixth.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the tournament, with the final stage taking place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. For the first time, the tournament will be hosted by three countries simultaneously: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.