Argentina’s record player
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The national team of Argentina travels to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026. Whether Lionel Messi, who will celebrate his 39th birthday in the course of the tournament, the eight -time world football player leaves open. “I think about it and wait, but I don’t want to set this goal either. I will tackle it every day and see how I feel physically and be honest with myself,” said the Argentinian in an interview with “Simplements Fútbol”.
With 191 international matches, he is a record national player of Argentina and with 112 goals the best scorer in the country. The former Barcelona professional crowned his outstanding career with the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar when he led Argentina to the third triumph with seven goals and became the best player in the tournament. In the final against France, Messi played his 26th game at a World Cup and replaced Lothar Matthew as a record holder. In the eternal list of goalscorers, he is in fourth place with 13 goals and could replace the Miroslav Klose, which hit three times more often, in 2026. It would be his sixth World Cup participation after being there for the first time in Germany in 2006.
“If you think about it, it’s a long time, but at the same time it will be over quickly,” said Messi with a view of his future. With 20 goals and ten templates, he led Inter Miami to first place in the Eastern Conference of the MLS last season, but in the playoffs the Florida club had to delete the sails early on.
The new season also started with five goal participations in five MLS games for Messi. Inter Miami is fourth in the Eastern Conference (to the table) after seven match days. “This year it becomes important for me to be able to play with continuity and to feel good. Last year I was in preparation and played a few games in the starting eleven, then I had to expose myself to a few games for injuries or did not feel at 100 percent. This time the preparation was good, I started well and feel good,” said Miamis number 10.
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami ends in December 2025, according to media reports, an extension has become increasingly likely. “It is a long season. She has started and runs without a break in June until December, plus another competition with the club World Cup. There are many games,” the Argentinian noted. At the newly created tournament in summer, his team meets Al Aly SC from Cairo, FC Porto and Palmeiras from São Paulo. The World Cup takes place a year later – whether with or without Messi will be shown.
