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News
- 10 Nov 2025
Messi makes SHOCK World Cup admission: 'I don't want to be a burden'
Tom Weber
- 11 Nov 2025 16:43 GMT
- 5 min read
News
Inter Miami icon Lionel Messi has made a surprising admission when quizzed about his involvement in the 2026 World Cup.
The upcoming tournament is set to take place on home soil as far as Messi is concerned. Since 2023, the Argentine megastar has been playing for Inter Miami, which has driven unprecedented growth for domestic football in the US.
Messi has become the face of Major League Soccer and, with much of the World Cup set to be played in the US, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is expected to feature heavily in the promotion of FIFA's showpiece event.
Current ETV
Lionel Messi
F, AM (R)
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi
F, AM (R)
Inter Miami
ETV Range
€6.5M - €8.8M
Up until 2022, the World Cup was the one trophy that had eluded the 38-year-old, who is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. However, an inspired Messi finally got over the hump in Qatar as he dragged Argentina to the title after a stunning final clash with France.
As the defending champions, Argentina will have a target on their back heading into the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. If anyone is able to handle the pressure, it is Messi, but the ageing legend has now cast doubt on his involvement in the tournament.
Messi's honest World Cup admission
In recent days, Messi paid a surprise visit to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, the home of his beloved FC Barcelona. As part of his trip, he spoke to Catalan outlet Sport, which quizzed him about the World Cup. Messi's response was an honest - and somewhat surprising - one.
"Yes, obviously it is [just around the corner], it's a special World Cup," Messi began. "It's special to play with the national team, especially considering what a World Cup means, and after having won it.
"But, as I was saying, I don't want to be a burden, so to speak. I want to feel good physically to be sure that I can help and contribute to the group, to the squad," he added, before voicing concerns about MLS's schedule.
"Our season is different from the European one," the attacker explained. "We'll have a preseason in between, few matches leading up to the World Cup, and we'll see day by day if I really feel physically fit enough to be where I'd like to be and be able to participate.
"But obviously, I'm aware that it's a World Cup, and it's special, and that the World Cup is the biggest competition there is. So, I'm excited, but taking it one day at a time."
Messi's quotes illustrate that time waits for no man, not even the greatest footballer of all time. Despite his comments, it seems highly unlikely that the Argentine won't be involved in the World Cup in some capacity, but it will surely be his final big tournament with his country.
Despite his advanced age, Messi still has an awful lot to give to football. Having just won the MLS regular season Golden Boot with 29 goals, the Inter Miami star is expected to become the first player in league history to win back-to-back MVP awards. Messi isn't finished just yet.
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