Lionel Messi eyeing 2026 World Cup, says Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni
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Captain Lionel Messi was instrumental in helping Argentina clinch the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Buenos Aires – Argentina great Lionel Messi wants to play at the 2026 World Cup, but it is too early to make any official announcement, his national coach Lionel Scaloni said on Jan 30.
Scaloni, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, explained the 37-year-old record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s desire to remain in the squad.
“The first thing to say is that both he and his teammates are aware that there is a reasonable amount of time left, and that he and everyone else are keen to play in the World Cup,” Scaloni told DSports.
“We will have to wait and see how things develop. He (Messi) knows what we are thinking and he is the most intelligent of us all.”
He also spoke about former Argentina forward Angel di Maria’s decision to retire from international football after winning his second Copa America trophy in 2024.
“From what he said, it is over. And in the best possible way. If he had written his film, his book, his football story, I don’t think he would have written it as well as he ended it,” Scaloni said.
Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Neymar, meanwhile, has confirmed his move to boyhood club Santos from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on social media on Jan 30.
Neymar, 32, joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €90 million (S$126.7 million) in 2023, but he managed only seven appearances for them after suffering a serious knee injury.
“Playing football, that’s what I love the most. My family and friends already know my decision. I’ll sign the contract with Santos Futebol Clube,” Neymar said in a video posted on Instagram.
“To be born, live and die for Santos is an honour only a few have... I’m sure only Santos can provide the love I need to prepare for the coming challenges of the next years.”
The Brazil forward began his career with Santos in 2009 aged 17, racking up 136 goals and 64 assists in 225 matches to help the club secure their first Copa Libertadores title in nearly 50 years in 2011.
He joined Barcelona in 2013, winning two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and the 2015 Champions League.
He also has 128 caps and a record 79 goals for his country, surpassing Pele’s tally of 77. He was also part of Brazil’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and helped them finish runners-up to Argentina in the 2021 Copa America.
He moved to PSG from Barca in 2017 for a world-record fee of €222 million and won five French league titles with the capital club. REUTERS
