Lionel Messi once again leaves the end of his national team career open. In an interview with the Argentine sports newspaper ‘Olé’, the 35-year-old explains: “For me, this is practically the end of my career, and I don’t think there is a better ending than this (winning the World Cup, ed.).” Looking ahead to the 2024 Copa America and the 2026 World Cup, the multiple world footballer says: “I don’t know, I’ve always said that it’s very difficult for me to get there because of my age. I love playing football, I love what I do and as long as I’m fine, physically fit and still having fun, I will do it.”
And further: “But I think there is still a long way to go before the next World Cup. […] I’ll be 36 soon, I’ll see where my career goes, what I’ll do, and that depends on a lot of things.” So far, Messi has made 172 appearances for the Albiceleste and has been directly involved in 153 goals (98 goals, 55 assists). The offensive player from Paris St. Germain won the Copa America and the World Cup once with Argentina. In mid-December, La Pulga announced that the World Cup in Saudi Arabia would be his last.
