Lionel Messi clears the air about his future with the Argentina national team. Speculation about a football pension started before the World Cup in Qatar and increased after the Argentines’ overall victory. Messi himself, however, remained silent about his future and played two more friendly international matches this year. A next World Cup participation really does not seem to be possible.
Messi sends clear World Cup message
Messi was extremely important for Argentina in Qatar, only in the group match against Poland did the superstar not score. With two goals in the final against France, 35-year-old Messi showed his best side and after the final, teammates and his coach spoke out. They hoped to persuade Messi to shine one more time in four years at the World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico.
That will not happen, Messi confirmed in conversation with China’s Titan Sports. The Argentina national team is currently in China for two friendlies and that includes media obligations for Messi. He was of course quickly asked about the World Cup in 2026. “I don’t think so, Qatar was my last World Cup,” Messi spoke for the first time about his football future. Then the world champion slowed down a bit: “We’ll see how it goes. But in principle I’m not going to the next World Cup.”
Messi will be able to turn his attention to America after his commitments in China, Argentina playing against Australia and Indonesia. This week he confirmed that Inter Miami will be his next club.
Dangerous duo Alba and Messi brought back together
Pedro, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Dani Alves, Luis Suarez. Only those players gave Lionel Messi an assist more often than Jordi Alba. The defender and the Argentinian have a special connection, which may be restored this year.
Messi himself announced this week that he is leaving for Inter Miami, but the young professional club is not ready after signing the superstar, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. According to the Italian journalist, Alba is also talking to owner David Beckham’s club.
Alba has been under contract with Barcelona since 2012, but announced that he would leave on a free transfer after this season. Clubs from Saudi Arabia have now contacted the Spanish left leg, but Inter Miami is therefore also a serious candidate to acquire him.
For Alba, that would be a first employment outside Spain. The full back broke through at Valencia and was bought by Barça in 2012.
