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    Messi in the next World Cup? Lionel Scaloni thinks so! | ESPN FC
    World Cup 2026

    Messi in the next World Cup? Lionel Scaloni thinks so! | ESPN FC



    The ESPN FC crew reacts to the comments made by Lionel Scaloni regarding to Lionel Messi playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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    View 46 Comments

    46 Comments

    1. K P on

      Messi doesn't rely on his physical attributes to be the footballing god he is, which is why he can still be a part in 4 years time, but I think he'll bow out as a champion

    4. Nako Oneil on

      Messi at 43 yrs… would still be best in the whole world…mark my word..🐐🐐🐐🐐.. mmmeessiii mmmeessiii mmmeessiii 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

    10. Studious Wadoo on

      He has to be a midfielder to be a starter I don’t see him playing as a 9 or 10 at 39 as a starter. He can’t press but he’s the core of the build up and best passer

    12. ZEO on

      Why tho?
      He isn't winning it again and it makes more sense to let this team evolve pass him, if he is fit to be used as a sub as a tribute rather than him carrying them because how..

      Edit: Remember Zidane guys!!!
      Everyone talks about that Red Card in the last final he played in 2006 and no one talks about his 1998 win when he single handedly carried France!
      If Messi plays in 2026 and he disappoints people will forget how crucial he was in 2022

    15. Juulut Poulsen on

      I have been wondering about this, I think he would fit perfectly as midfielder at a certain age. But then again after winning world cup it is a great ending.

    18. Gigi Dawide on

      Just depends on how messi and the team is doing by then if everything is going on the right path and the team is well balanced with messi without him has to carry it lime he has done at 39 it will he tough tax so i rather want him retire from international football if thats the situation by then

    20. Joe Birdwell Jr on

      Messi is truly great, but let's be honest the man is near 40 at the time. I honestly feel like Messi will not be there. I could see him play another one or two years for the national team at the most. You can only rely on Messi for so long…

    23. Anindya Panda on

      I think Messi will play as midfield like what Luka Modric did in this world cup for Croatia. No doubt on it. He will supply the ball and younger strikers like Luka Romero, Garnacho, Fernando, Alvarez etc needs to score.

    26. CT on

      Never underestimate a genius at work. He is not a physical player he has never been one since the start of his career and he was the best player in this world cup at 35. As long as there is someone like Alvarez to press from the front Messi will play for Argentina. His dribbling skill and passing vision will still be the best even at 40 yrs old.

    27. Samsuz Zaman on

      I think he can stay as a sub. That'll boost team's mentality.
      My team prediction(26players): Emi, Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Barco, McAllister, Enzo, De Paul, Lo Celso, Lautaro, Julian.
      Substitutes: Leo(C), De Paul, Almada, Bounanotte, Paredes, Montiel, Nehuen perez, Medina, Senesi, Luka Romero, Garnacho, Dybala, Joaquin Correa & 2 GKs
      N.B : That's only my imagination

    30. AfroBuddy on

      Retiring on a high is overrated. Nobody remembers Maradona last few year, Jordan's last few years with the wizards, Ali's last few fights, Bolt's last championship! Their careers were not affected at all.

      Everybody will forget about how Ronaldo ended his career after a few years. It is just too recent rn.

      If Messi could possibly lead his country to another world cup, however unlikely, then why shouldn't he try!

    34. Splash on

      I just wanna see him play in 2026 so I can finally watch him play in person. He can just come off the bench around hour mark and that will be enough for me

    37. AdnSerj123 on

      I could deff see him playing in it. Not gonna have as big of a impact, but i guarantee you, at 39 messi will still be one of the best players and Argentina mjght be even better next world cup.

    41. JC O on

      oh stfu! Messi can do whatever TF he wants to do, these clowns honestly think he couldn't perform in 3 yrs time man even at this level still doubted wow and if he wasn't adding to the team or any team he wouldn't put the coach in that position or go play in some Z league just to collect goals but he an easily slide into a classic 10 role and make another 300 assists either way ArgNT is in fantastic position after winning everything a NT can win and with ridiculous talent on youth teams besides the crazy 23 they can put together already even without the historicos, its going to be a fun ext few years

    44. Milk Tea on

      I mean, he could literally just be the penalty kick taker for Argentina.

      That was basically dybala this World Cup. Argentina competed with a rotation of about 16 out of the 26 man squad they had. The knock out stages were almost the same 11 the whole way through.

      He could easily just become a penalty shoot out player.

      And I think if that’s his job, no one can critique him. That’s just his job during the 2026 World Cup, if Argentina ever get into a shootout, then they can always defend on Messi.- he would probably have to get warmed up for like 7 minutes.

    45. swoosh 32 on

      I disagree with all of them. Maradona won the world cup and never did it after but yet he is considered one of the greatest ever. So, there's nothing wrong in Messi being there in 2026. He is just like a fine old wine 🍷

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