Will Messi Play in FIFA World Cup 2026 Teammate Drops Major Hint

FIFA World Cup 2026: As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, a single question continues to captivate fans and pundits around the world. Will Lionel Messi grace the global stage one final time? After leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and securing a Copa America title in 2024, the iconic No. 10’s international future remains one of football’s most compelling mysteries.

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Now 38 years old and still dazzling for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, Messi has not officially declared whether he will participate in the next World Cup, set to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Despite mounting speculation and persistent questions, the Argentine maestro has urged for patience, repeatedly stating that he will decide based on how his body feels in the months ahead.

Yet a recent endorsement from one of his closest teammates may offer the clearest indication yet of where Messi heart lies. Far from winding down, Messi continues to defy the conventions of age in professional sport. Since joining Inter Miami, his presence has transformed both the team’s fortunes and the profile of the league itself.

Otamendi Backs Messi for FIFA World Cup Return

In just 13 MLS appearances this season, he has racked up 10 goals and 6 assists performances that earned him Player of the Month honors for May. His on-field brilliance, vision, and precision have shown no signs of waning, even as he navigates the physical toll of a two-decade long career.

These exploits haven’t gone unnoticed. Fans in North America many of whom will witness the World Cup on home soil for the first time since 1994 are dreaming of a fairytale scenario Messi returning to lead Argentina on a historic title defense, perhaps in the very cities where he now plies his trade.

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Amid the swirl of rumors, speculation, and cautious optimism, a powerful voice has now entered the conversation. Nicolas Otamendi, one of Argentina’s most experienced defenders and a longtime friend and teammate of Messi, has offered a stirring perspective on the star’s potential return. Obviously, as the World Cup gets closer, he will make his decision, Otamendi told Radio La Red in a recent interview.

Otamendi Messi Desire Will Drive Football World Cup Call

But I don’t see Leo missing out on the World Cup. Leo is the best player in soccer history. Otamendi, currently playing for Benfica, didn’t stop there. He spoke with reverence about Messi’s competitive fire and love for the national team, painting a picture of a man still deeply connected to the game and his country.

He’s living in the moment. He’s enjoying the World Cup. Leo’s focus is on continuing to compete, taking it month by month and seeing how he feels. He will make his decision based on how he feels physically, but you will never take away Leo’s desire to compete, to be there, to help the team. Helping Argentina is in his DNA. Leo is different.

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Indeed, Messi himself has acknowledged the difficulty of making a definitive decision so far in advance. The truth is that when you start thinking about it, it’s a long time away but at the same time it’s going to pass quickly, no. he mused earlier this year. For me this year is going to be important, to be able to play with continuity, to feel good.

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Messi Form Fuels Football World Cup 2026 Hopes as Scaloni Plans Ahead

These comments came ahead of Inter Miami’s participation in the expanded 2025 FIFA World Cup, a competition that has kept Messi immersed in high-level football. With a blockbuster clash against his former Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon, the Argentine captain remains both physically committed and mentally engaged in elite competition.

That sustained focus has fans and analysts alike wondering. If Messi is still dominating games at 38, why not continue through 2026. While Messi’s return would be an emotional and tactical boost for Argentina, head coach Lionel Scaloni is approaching the situation with pragmatic foresight. He has made it clear that the Albiceleste must be capable of thriving regardless of whether their talisman takes part in 2026.

To that end, he has begun crafting a more balanced and diversified squad, giving opportunities to emerging stars while maintaining the core values and structure that brought Argentina its recent successes. Still, even with a promising new generation in place, the allure of Messi cannot be overstated.

Messi Legacy and Fitness Challenges Ahead of World Cup

His mere presence on the pitch inspires a level of belief that few athletes in history have ever commanded. Whether it’s his unparalleled ability to dictate the tempo of a game, his uncanny knack for delivering in critical moments, or simply the aura he carries, Messi remains the beating heart of Argentine football.

However, the decision is not without complications. Over the past year, Messi has dealt with a series of minor but persistent muscular injuries the kind that are increasingly common for players in their late 30s. These physical setbacks have led some to question whether his body can withstand the rigors of a World Cup, especially with the condensed and physically intense format the 48 team tournament will bring in 2026.

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That said, Messi has always thrived on proving doubters wrong. His recovery routines, commitment to fitness, and deep understanding of the game allow him to adapt in ways that extend his effectiveness. While he may no longer be sprinting past defenders with the same frequency, his intelligence, movement, and creativity ensure he remains a match-winner.

Messi FIFA 2026 Future Uncertain, but Hope Remains

For Argentina, qualification for the 2026 World Cup is already secured. The reigning champions enter the tournament with sky-high expectations and a target on their backs. Whether Messi will be among them as they seek to defend their crown is the burning question one that only time, and Messi himself, can answer.

Still, if Otamendi words carry any weight and they surely do among those closest to the team then fans may have reason to believe. One more tournament. One more chance to witness greatness. One more moment of Messi magic on the world’s biggest stage. Because as Otamendi said, Leo is different.

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