Argentine football icon Juan Roman Riquelme has expressed his belief that Lionel Messi will compete in the 2026 World cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
After Messi’s historic World Cup win in Qatar 2022, may expected him to retire from international football. However, the superstar continued with Argentina, leading them to another Copa America triumph.
While Messi has been asked about his potential participation in the next World Cup, he has yet to provide a definite answer, often saying it depends on how hw feels closer to the event.
Riquelme, a former teammate of Messi and someone who shares a close relationship with the Inter Miami forward, recently shared his thoughts on the subject. He expressed confidence that Messi will lead Argentina to the 2026 World Cup, aiming to guide the Albiceleste to their fourth title.
“Messi is reinventing himself,”he said on the AZZ channel, according to Goal. “You never know what he can do. And I have no doubt that he will play in the next World Cup; he has to play.
“We will all be rooting for him to play. I don’t tease him too much, but we talk a lot. That’s why I think he’s going to play. He’s very good, it’s something that’s not normal. And to that, he adds that he really likes to compete. He’s won a lot and he still wants to keep winning.”
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