Argentina national football team manager Lionel Scaloni has said whether or not Lionel Messi will feature for them at FIFA World Cup 2026 will be down to the Argentine superstar’s decision.
The FIFA World Cup 2022, which was held in Qatar, was won by Argentina’s national football team as Lionel Scaloni’s men defeated France in a penalty shootout in the final to lift the coveted trophy.
Lionel Messi finally clinched the one trophy that had eluded in his trophy-laden career, with the Argentine icon starring for the South American nation at Qatar 2022. Messi scored seven goals and bagged three assists for Argentina at FIFA World Cup 2022. Two of those goals came in Argentina vs France final.
While many thought Qatar 2022 would be Lionel Messi’s last ever World Cup, the Argentine superstar has left the door open with regards to featuring Argentina at FIFA World Cup 2026.
Lionel Messi will decide whether he will feature in FIFA World Cup 2026 or not, says Lionel Scaloni
Speaking at a refresher course for Italian coaches, Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi himself would decide whether he will participate in the next edition of FIFA’s flagship quadrennial event.
“Being at the next World Cup will be Leo’s decision, if his body holds up for me he will be there,” Lionel Scaloni said [via Marca].
“Behind our title, there was a communion of intentions between fans, staff, and players, something emotional that made the sense of belonging to this unique shirt even stronger.
“Then, having a player like Messi was, and is obviously an advantage. As a former team-mate, coaching him is beautiful, I see how the other players look at him and follow him, he is the best.”
Meanwhile, Lionel Scaloni became the fifth youngest manager ever and the youngest manager since 1978 to win the FIFA World Cup title. Lionel Scaloni became Argentina’s national football team’s manager in 2018 and has been occupying the position ever since.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, has been impressive for Paris Saint-Germain and remains one of the best footballers in the world. He recently hogged headlines, and rightly so, when he scored a last-gasp winner as PSG defeated LOSC Lille 4-3 in Ligue 1.
Lionel Messi has featured in 27 games across all competitions for PSG this season. He has racked up 16 goals and 14 assists in those fixtures for the French heavyweights.
