Argentina coach, Lionel Scaloni has insisted that Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi may still be part of the team for the 2026 World Cup.
Les Parisiens’ No. 30 has scored seven goals and added 10 assists in Ligue 1 already this campaign with four more goals and assists in the UEFA Champions League across 17 appearances.
Given Messi’s current form and the Argentine turnaround under Lionel Scaloni, they certainly head to Qatar as one of the favorites as reigning Copa America champions, and their favorable Group C draw with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland only adds to the feeling that they will go far.
But, despite his age in four years, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni isn’t ready for Messi to leave.
“It may be his last World Cup, but hopefully not,” Scaloni said (h/t beIN Sports). “He is happy on the field and makes a lot of people happy. If we take care of him and carry him as we have to, there is the possibility of more games because the world of football asks for it.”
Some players have shown they can play at a high level into their late 30s and still play for their national team. For example, Dani Alves made the Brazil national team at 39, so if Messi wants to play Argentine Football Association will likely not say no.
In popular culture
According to France Football, Messi was the world’s highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014; he was the first player to exceed the €40 million benchmark, with earnings of €41 million in 2013, and the €50–€60 million points, with income of €65 million in 2014. Messi was second on Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid athletes (after Cristiano Ronaldo) with income of $81.4 million from his salary and endorsements in 2015–16.
