BEIJING — Argentine superstar Lionel Messi said he will not play in the next FIFA World Cup in 2026.
“I think not. (Qatar) was my last World Cup. I’ll see how things go, but as it is right now, no, I won’t go to the next World Cup,” Messi told Chinese television Titan Sports on tuesday.
Messi, who left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last week, guided Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Messi scored seven goals in Qatar 2022 to inspire Argentina’s World Cup success.
The former Barcelona and PSG forward will be 39 in 2026.
Canada, Mexico and the US will co-host the 2026 World Cup.
Messi, a seven-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner, will join Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami in 2023. — Agencies