Speaking in an exclusive interview with NBC News, the Inter Miami forward said he remains motivated to represent Argentina at the next World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

 “I’ll evaluate it when I start the preseason next year,” Messi explained. “If I feel 100% and believe I can contribute to the team, I’ll be there. If not, I’ll be honest with myself and step aside.”

Messi, now 38, led Argentina to a historic triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, fulfilling a lifelong dream by lifting the one trophy that had eluded him. The final against France in which he scored twice and converted his penalty in the shootout sealed his place among football’s all-time greats.

Despite suggesting after that victory that the 2022 tournament would be his last, Messi has slowly softened his stance, hinting several times this year that he might extend his international career. His remarks this week mark the clearest indication yet that he’s seriously considering one final World Cup appearance.

Argentina have already secured qualification for the 2026 edition after dominating the South American qualifiers, and national coach Lionel Scaloni has repeatedly left the door open for Messi’s return. “For Leo, the national team will always be his home,” Scaloni said earlier this month.

Messi emphasized that while the desire to play remains strong, he will not force himself into the squad if his body cannot cope with the demands of another major tournament. “I love playing for Argentina,” he said. “But when I no longer feel good, I prefer not to be there just for being there.”

At club level, the veteran forward continues to shine for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where his presence has transformed both the team’s performances and the league’s global appeal. However, recurring muscle problems earlier this season raised questions about his long-term fitness.

Sports analysts believe Messi could take on a more creative, playmaking role in 2026 if he does participate similar to the one he played in Qatar using his vision and experience to guide a younger generation led by players like Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández.

If selected, it would mark Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance a record for an outfield player. With 114 international goals since his debut in 2005, he remains Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and the heartbeat of a team that still builds its rhythm around him.

For now, the football world waits. Messi has nothing left to prove, yet his competitive fire still burns. Should his body allow it, the 2026 World Cup may witness one final chapter in the extraordinary career of the man many call the greatest of all time.