Argentina’s Messi drops World Cup bomb: “the most logical thing”

Lionel Messi delivered some surprising comments, all the more striking after his masterclass against Venezuela and the brilliant qualifying campaign he has led, which wraps up next Tuesday.

With only months to go before the 2026 World Cup, Argentina’s captain put his participation in doubt: “I don’t think I’ll play another World Cup, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it, but here we are, I’m hopeful and motivated. But it’s day by day, game by game.”

Enough there for glass-half-full fans too, I’d say.

Is this the end for Messi?

Messi scored twice against La Vinotinto in an emotional match at the Monumental. He looked to be enjoying himself, especially in the second half, something he reflected on afterward: “This year we had many matches, many stretches of games. Luckily I was able to play three in a row. It’s day by day, feeling how I am. It’s clear that today was the last one here with points at stake, but day by day I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. If I feel good, I enjoy it. If I feel bad, I’d rather not be there.”

The 2022 World Cup winner, likely remembering the difficult moments he once endured with the national team, now savors every sweet day and leaves with the satisfaction of finally receiving the affection of his homeland, something that long eluded him:

“A lot has happened, being able to finish this way here is what I always dreamed of. To be able to celebrate with my people… for many years I received so much love at Barcelona, and my dream was to have that here too, in my country, with my people. For many years many things were said, but I keep all the good we did. I hold on to the group that tried and didn’t manage to win, but after that everything we lived was beautiful.”

It’s hard to imagine Messi not being at next year’s World Cup. He’s in shape, he’s the heartbeat of this successful squad, and much of the tournament will be played in the United States, where he is now a household name as Inter Miami’s star. But he’s not certain, and the decision will come in the months ahead.

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