Angel Di Maria Predicts Whether Messi Will Play in the 2026 World Cup
Lionel Messi's future may be linked to his plans for the national team. Messi has not retired from the national team; however, he will turn 36 this summer, and his days with La Albiceleste are coming to an end.
Nonetheless, former PSG and current Juventus forward Angel Di Maria was the latest to say in an interview with ESPN Argentina that he hopes to see the 35-year-old remain on the national team as a player until the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"I no longer fantasize about the next World Cup," Di Maria explained. "I believe in the next Copa América, I will do everything possible, but I would love to be there. Yes, Leo has to play in the next World Cup. His name is Leo.
"It is essential to continue in Europe to reach the Copa América; otherwise, Scaloni will not take you. You must be completely focused. Leo and the others must be at their peak performance. Scaloni has never married."
After winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it appeared that Messi would ride off into the sunset, but it appears that many people want him to stay with Argentina for the next cycle.
The 2024 Copa America in the United States will be the next major international tournament for the PSG star. It will be interesting to see if that is Messi's final dance or if he continues with an eye on the World Cup two years later.