I believe that Messi can reach the next World Cup – Lionel Scaloni

Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni is hopeful that Lionel Messi can play till the next FIFA World Cup in 2026. Before the 2022 edition, Messi had confirmed that Qatar World Cup will be last World Cup for the national team.

Messi went to fulfill his dream as he won the World Cup after Argentina defeated France on penalties and the talisman squashed retirement reports and said he still wants to continue playing as a World Cup champion.

Messi had told TyC Sports: “No, I’m not going to be retiring from the Argentina national team. I want to continue playing as a champion of the world.”

Speaking on the same on Calvia FM, Scaloni said, “I believe that Messi can reach the next World Cup. It will depend a lot on what he wants and what happens over time, whether he feels good or not. He will always have the doors open. He is always happy on the pitch and it would be good for us too.”

Messi will be 39 in the next World Cup and it will be interesting to note if he can keep himself at the top of his fitness.

On the other hand, speaking to The Athletic, Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister revealed no Argentine player wants Messi to call time on his International career.

“We don’t want him to leave the national team. He said it was going to be his last World Cup. But we want him to stay. He knows it. So, let’s see what happens. After the game, we couldn’t speak much because we wanted to celebrate. I think we still don’t realise what we achieved, but in the next five or 10 years we will.”

“He deserves it. It was the only trophy he was missing and now he has it. I’m really glad to be a part of this, to help him and the team to get that trophy. I’m really happy for him, [Angel] Di Maria as well, because they are two players who fought a lot in the last couple of years to get that trophy and to play for our country.”

Messi had a great run in FIFA World Cup 2022, scoring seven goals and providing three assists. He also scored a goal and provided an assist in the all-important semi-final against Croatia. Messi then scored a brace against France in the final and took his team to glory.