Messi will ‘take his time’ on ’26 World Cup decision – Scaloni

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said Messi will take his time regarding his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi recently played his final official match in Argentina with La Albiceleste on Sept. 4, registering a 3-0 win over Venezuela in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Monumental. 

Argentina’s number 10 scored a brace and was emotional while talking to the reporters during a postmatch interview. When asked about playing in the World Cup next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Messi had said, “We’ll see.”

Argentina had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup and Messi has shown his desire to play in the next year’s mega event. Earlier, Messi had said that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be his last major event with the La Albiceleste however he wanted to continue playing as a part of the champion team.

“But well, we’re almost there, so I’m excited and motivated to play it. Like I always say, I go day by day, going by how I feel,” Messi said.

“I’m trying to feel good and, above all, being honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good. So we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup. I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left.

“So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully, I’ll have a good preseason in 2026 and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.”

Scaloni said that whatever the player decides will be “fine.”

“I’m still not sure about the percentage of the list. We’re far away and a lot of things can happen. We have a base, there are players who are always the same and not much will come out of there,” Scaloni said.

“I didn’t talk to Leo about the World Cup. I know what he said and that he’s going to take this time calmly. Whatever he decides will be fine.”