Legendary Argentinean Lionel Messi has stated that he would want to play in the Copa America before the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States and Mexico. The 36-year-old asserted earlier this year that he will probably be retiring after leading Argentina to their third World Cup victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He is having the time of his life with Argentina, and he is no longer ruling out playing in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in the 2026 World Cup.

“As long as I feel good and I can continue to deliver, I’m going to do it (continue playing with Argentina). All I’m thinking about today is getting to the Copa America and being able to play in it,” Messi told ESPN. “Then time will tell whether I’ll be at the World Cup or not. I’m going to be at an age (39) that normally doesn’t allow me to play in the World Cup.”It seemed that after the 2022 World Cup I was retiring, now I want to be with the team more than ever. We are experiencing a special moment, I want to enjoy it to the fullest, without thinking two or three years ahead, which in football is a lot.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remembers the 2016 Copa América, which was held on American soil and ended with Argentina losing to Chile on penalties in the final. Before Messi led Argentina to the continental title in 2021, the team had lost three straight finals when he was captain: the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa América, and the 2014 World Cup. After that, the South Americans won the 2022 Finalissima over Italy, and last year they won the World Cup final against France on penalties.

“Maybe we’ll do well in the Copa America and everything will work out for me to continue. Maybe not. It’s hard. Being a world champion changed me in the peace of mind knowing that, in my job, I could achieve everything,” Messi added. The Copa America will feature six guest teams from the CONCACAF region, including the US and Mexico. Argentina will discover their opponents when the draw is made on December 7.