Lionel Messi is hard to keep out of the headlines. His pulsating game is such.
But now he is triggering media excitement with an off-field interview, which covers a gamut of issues including his potential participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his transformative stint at Inter Miami, and reflections on Argentina’s World Cup triumph in 2022.
Speaking to Simplemente Fútbol, a football podcast, Messi admitted that the idea of competing in the next World Cup is on his mind but emphasised the importance of evaluating his physical condition before making a final decision. “The truth is, if you stop and think about it, it feels far away, but at the same time, time flies. I’ll see how I feel. Of course, I think about it, but I don’t want to set goals either,” he said. If Messi does participate, he would become the first player in history to compete in six World Cups.
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The interview also touched on Messi’s current stint with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), where he has been instrumental in transforming the club into a serious contender. With 42 goals and 21 assists in just 48 appearances, Messi has revived Miami’s fortunes, including winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield and the Leagues Cup. His impact on the league has been profound, with record-breaking attendance figures and increased global visibility for MLS.
Messi’s reflections on his World Cup triumph in 2022 were particularly interesting. He praised Emiliano Martínez’s crucial save against Randal Kolo Muani, calling it a defining moment. “At some point, you have to get lucky… in this case, it wasn’t luck, it was Dibu,” Messi remarked, highlighting the collective effort behind Argentina’s victory.
He also spoke about French star Kylian Mbappé. “Mbappé has the peace of mind that he won the 2018 World Cup. Even though it’s crazy, what he did in the final, scored four goals and still didn’t become champion. The same thing happened to me in 2014, it was torture for me. You also look back and think, ‘I could’ve won two.”
“Being able to say that I’ve achieved everything in football is something truly valuable. I always say I’m very grateful to God for everything he has blessed me with. God gave me everything,” Messi said with typical equanimity.