Argentina legend in 'no doubt' that Messi will play and flourish at the 2026 World Cup

Martin Macdonald

• 30 Dec 2025 11:30 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Argentina football legend Javier Zanetti is in no doubt that Lionel Messi will not only play at the 2026 World Cup but will continue to act as the team's leader on the pitch.

Messi has played in five World Cups for Argentina, starting with Germany in 2006. The crowning moment of his career came in 2022 when he and the Albiceleste won the tournament in Qatar, solidifying his status as one of, if not the best, footballers in history.

Nobody has made more appearances, scored more goals, or made more assists for Argentina that the iconic forward.

Messi is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career, though, at 38, and currently plies his trade in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami where has been named the league's Most Valuable Player two years in a row.

He'll be 39 by the time the World Cup final comes around and is yet to confirm his participation in the next tournament, but Zanetti is sure his compatriot will be there.

“That has to be his decision, but I think yes," Zanetti told FourFourTwo when asked if Messi will be at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“There are only a few months to go, and I believe he also wants to represent his country again. I have no doubt it will happen.”

Due to Messi's advancing years, there are some who believe that his inclusion may actually harm the team rather than help it, with Cristiano Ronaldo receiving similar criticism for his continued inclusion in Portugal lineups.

“I don’t agree with that,” Zanetti said.

“Messi is fully capable of continuing as a leader. He’s intelligent, knows better than anyone how to interpret what the team needs, and is surrounded by great players in the national team. I’m convinced that with him, Argentina will be a major contender again at the next World Cup.

"I think the time has come for Messi to enjoy football. The most important thing now is that he enjoys what he does.

“The World Cup will surely be an important testing ground to see how he feels, and then he’ll decide, calmly, whether to continue.”

Messi not yet confirmed for 2026 World Cup

Argentina are defending champions, having claimed the famous gold trophy in Qatar in 2022.

Messi will again be key to their chances of winning, but the man himself hasn't yet confirmed he'll be participating.

"I don't want to be a burden, so to speak," the 38-year-old previously told Sport.

"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. We'll have a pre-season in between, with 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.

"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 I'm taking it one day at a time."

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