Lionel Messi to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 2026? Ex-Argentina player makes a powerful statement about the PSG superstar.

Valdano revealed to Cadena Cope what Messi said about his future with the Argentina national team during an interview. When I interviewed him before the World Cup, off camera he told me that he was going to play in his fifth World Cup and that no footballer had played six; he told me that it was impossible, and he told me ‘if I’m a World Champion I’ll keep my shirt on until the next World Cup’. We’ll see if Messi is up to the task. Football has shown that playing in six World Cups is practically impossible, Valdano said.
Messi, one of the most decorated players in the game’s history, broke multiple records at the Qatar World Cup. Messi became Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history. Messi also became the most-capped player in FIFA World Cup history. The 35-year-old has represented Argentina in five FIFA World Cups.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni previously stated that Messi must decide his World Cup future. Argentina’s captain scored a spectacular brace to help the South American giants win the prestigious trophy for the third time in Qatar. Argentina has 172 caps for the former Barcelona captain and PSG superstar. Messi has scored 98 goals for the three-time World Cup champions in international play.