Lionel Messi has responded to talk about playing for Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when he will be 39-years-old.
The Inter Miami star played a big role as Argentine secured their third World Cup crown in Qatar last year, a year after the team lifted the Copa America title.
Read: 'Cristiano Ronaldo is nowhere near Lionel Messi's level'
There had been talks about the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner retiring from international duty after the World Cup triumph, but Messi insists he wants to be play even more .
"Today the only thing I think about is getting to the Copa America well and being able to compete in it," Messi told Star+.
"Fighting it again like we always did, trying to be champions. Then time will tell if I'm there [at the World Cup] or not. I'm going to arrive at an age [39 years old] that I normally wouldn't be able to play in the World Cup. I said that I don't think I'm going to be there.
"It seemed that after the World Cup I was retiring and quite the opposite. Now I want to be there more than ever. [But] I'm not thinking about the World Cup and I'm not saying 100 percent that I won't be there because anything can happen.
"Given my age, the most normal thing is that I won't be there. Then we'll see to what extent. Maybe we do well in the Copa America and it happens. everything so that we continue. Maybe not. Being realistic it is difficult."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.