All eyes are on Lionel Messi as the world awaits his confirmation of whether he’ll play in the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The soccer legend has now given a bittersweet update on his potential participation in the tournament, saying that he doesn’t “want to be a burden.”
Messi shares his thoughts on taking part in 2026 World Cup
In a recent interview with SPORTS, Lionel Messi opened up about his involvement in the 2026 World Cup. Although he has not confirmed whether he will be playing next summer, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner gave a surprising statement.
Messi, who lifted the golden trophy with the Argentina team in the 2022 World Cup, began by sharing his thoughts on the upcoming game. “It’s a special World Cup,” he began. “It’s special to play with the national team, especially in major official competitions, and even more so considering what a World Cup means, especially after having won it.”
However, when the question of his involvement in the tournament arose, Messi said, “I don’t want to be a burden, so to speak. I want to feel physically fit, to be sure I can help and contribute to the team. Our season is different from the European one.”
The Argentine forward and team captain went on to explain how the MLS schedule may disrupt his preparation. “We’ll have a pre-season in between, with a few matches leading up to the World Cup, and we’ll see how things go day by day to see if I really feel physically fit enough to be where I’d like to be and be able to participate,” the 38-year-old mused. (via FOX Sports)
For now, the wait continues for an official confirmation of whether Lionel Messi will join the battle for the golden trophy next year. Needless to say, fans are in anticipation for the final roster, with many hoping to see Argentina recreate their epic 2022 victory.
