Messi focuses on Copa America 2024 instead of World Cup 2026
Argentina captain Lionel Messi may bid farewell to his international career after Copa America 2024, where he aims to help his team successfully defend the championship in the US.
Messi wants to join the Argentina team in successfully defending the championship at Copa America 2024. Photo: AFA
In early 2023, Messi said that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – where he and his team were crowned champions – could be his last title with the national team.
However, Messi also does not rule out the possibility of continuing to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada. He said he was enjoying the best time while playing for Argentina.
In his latest interview with ESPN, Messi said: “As long as I feel good and can continue to contribute, I will continue to play for Argentina. All I’m thinking about at the moment today is getting to Copa America 2024 and being able to play there.
Then time will tell whether I will attend the World Cup or not. I’m about to turn 39, an age when normally not many people play in the World Cup. After the 2022 World Cup, I seemed to want to retire, but now I want to be with the team more than ever. We are experiencing special moments, I want to enjoy it to the fullest without thinking about the next 2 or 3 years.”
Messi had bittersweet memories of the Copa America. In 2016, when Copa America celebrated its 100th anniversary and was held in the US, Argentina reached the final but lost to Chile after a penalty shootout. It was the third consecutive final that Messi lost as Albiceleste captain after the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America. It was not until Copa America 2021 that Messi won with his home team.
This title started a cycle of success for Argentina. The South American team then defeated Italy to win the Finalissma in 2022. That same year, Argentina won the World Cup after 36 years of waiting.
“Maybe Argentina will do well at the Copa America and everything will be fine for me to continue playing. Or maybe not. Everything will not be easy. Becoming world champion makes me feel more secure knowing that, in my career, I have been able to achieve everything” – Messi shared.
Copa America 2024 takes place from June 20 to July 14, 2024, there will be 6 guest teams from the CONCACAF region, including the US and Mexico. The group draw will take place on December 7, when Messi and his teammates will know who their opponents are.