Lionel Messi always has the desire to play the FIFA World Cup 2026, revealed his teammate from Inter Miami, Luis Suarez. The 37-year-old man could become the first player to appear in six World Cups if he participates in the next edition, which should be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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Lionel Messi’s possible participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 has become one of the most discussed subjects in football in recent months. Now, the close friend of Messi and Inter Miami teammate, Luis Suarez, has weighed on the desire for Argentine legend to play in the tournament.
In an interview with a Spanish newspaper El PaísSuarez has revealed that Messi always has the desire to represent his country at the next 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Suarez on Messi’s participation in the 2026 World Cup
The Uruguayan striker, who now shares the field with Messi to the team of Major League Soccer (MLS), Inter Miami, stressed that he had deliberately avoided asking Messi on his international future.
“He also has these desires to play the World Cup next year. But no, I don’t even ask him. I already know him and how he thinks. The time will say,” said Suarez.
“Obviously, after having been far from the national team, this feeling begins to fade more on my side than his, but we have not really talked about it. Some people do not understand … I did not even look at it after having marked the penalty the other day. I know it too well. Sometimes, being part of this moment makes me more nervous,” he added.
If Messi chooses to play in 2026, it would mark his sixth appearance of the World Cup, a feat that no player in the history of football has obtained. Cristiano Ronaldo, his longtime rival, could also reach this milestone if Portugal qualifies and stays in the team.
Messi made his debut in the tournament in adolescence during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Since then, he has become the top scorer of all time in Argentina, capitalized on the glory of Copa America in 2021 and led the team to their historic triumph of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Messi will be 39 years old at the 2026 World Cup, but his current form suggests that he still has a lot to offer. During the current MLS season, he continued to influence the matches for Inter Miami when he recently scored twice in a return victory against Los Angeles FC.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, however, maintained a diplomatic position on the future of the Messi World Cup. Addressing ESPN, he said, “We will see what’s going on, there is a lot of time. He will decide it when he wishes. Will not drive him crazy with that. ”
Messi missed the last two qualifications from Argentina to the World Cup against Uruguay and Brazil due to injury problems, but figured in their international matches during the October and November break.
