June 13, (THEWILL) – Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine footballer, who is on the verge of joining Inter Miami, has officially announced his decision to skip the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, slated to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Messi realised his lifelong dream of winning the World Cup by leading his national team to a sensational victory in Qatar 2022, triumphing over France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw in regular and extra time. With this significant achievement, many have come to believe that the seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient has accomplished all there is to achieve in the world of football.
At 35 years old, Messi has firmly resolved not to participate in the esteemed international tournament, confirming his stance on Tuesday. In an interview with Chinese media outlet Titan Sports, when questioned about the possibility of featuring in the 2026 World Cup, Messi responded: “I think not.” He added: “This was my last World Cup. I will see how things go, but in principle, no, I will not go to the next World Cup.”
While Messi expressed his desire to attend the competition as a spectator, he clarified that his participation as a player is highly unlikely. Given his anticipated move to Inter Miami, it would be convenient for him to witness the World Cup on “home” soil, should his plans in Major League Soccer materialise as intended. Messi is on the verge of signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami, a franchise co-owned by David Beckham, with an option to extend until 2026.
Although Argentina’s manager, Lionel Scaloni, had previously stated that Messi would be a vital part of his plans for the upcoming World Cup, Messi is expected to play a significant role in Argentina’s quest to defend their Copa America title at the next edition of the tournament, set to take place in the summer of 2024, also in the United States. While Messi has faced disappointments in previous Copa America campaigns, enduring three heartbreaking final defeats, he finally tasted success in 2021, as Argentina beat arch-rivals Brazil to claim the trophy.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
