Lionel Messi spoke about if he will be playing at the World Cup with the Argentina national team.
Messi scored twice for Argentina in their 3-0 win against Venezuela in his final World Cup qualifying match in Argentina. With that goal, Messi has now scored for 20 consecutive years with the Argentina national team, with five matches remaining in the year.
The Argentine confirmed that he will not play against Ecuador in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier. Speaking to the media in the mixed zone after the match, Messi was asked about if he would play in the next World Cup qualifiers. Here is what he had to say:
“It’s a natural question. Due to my age, my time is running out. There’s still a long way to go before the next qualifiers. I can confirm that I won’t be there. Now I’m taking each day as it comes. I hope to have a good preseason.
“I never said whether or not I would make it to the World Cup, I simply said that I was going to take each day as it came. I always said that, given my age, the most logical or natural thing was that I wouldn’t make it.”
WHAT A AMAZING PERFORMANCE FROM THE GOAT 🇦🇷⚽️⚽️🇦🇷👏🙇🙌🇦🇷🙏🇦🇷
Wish to see him in WC 26 at age of 39 and hopefully so…
Next match against Ecuador would like to see 3 at the back Balerdi, Romero and maybe Foyth, though most obvious will be Tagli, Balerdi, Romero, but again would like to see Foyth tested in a game like this as the last WCQ.
Nico and Giuliano as wingbacks with MAC, Varela, Paz, but again most obvious will be MAC, Paredes ( played an very good game against Venezuela ) so not sure of the 3rd one, which could be Paz, Lo Celso/ Palacios as i don’t think Varela get’s the chance to start, but i might be wrong… Anyhow would like to see him play, because of his call up.
Alvarez and Almada the last 2 for my starting line up against Ecuador
3-2-3-2 : Dibu, Cuti, Balerdi, Tagli ( with option Foyth RCB Cuti CB Balerdi LCB) Nico G. and Giuliano as wingbacks ( subs Soler, Tagli, Molina and maybe Montiel?) in the middle Mac, Varela ( hopefully to be tested, but don’t think he get’s an chance?) Paz ( subs Lo Celso, Paredes, Palacios ) Alvarez Almada ( subs Toro, Lopez)
I think Mastantuono could be also used against Ecuador, but as sub this time, because simply would like to see others like Varela tested too, but in my oppinion give start this time to Paz.
Anyhow somehow don’t think Scaloni will start at 3 at the back, but again i could be wrong with my predictions…
Barring any severe injury I am confident that Messi will play in 2026 WC. If he withdraws at the last minute it will be huge moral dampner to the Argentine team. They still play for him and express more when he is on the pitch. The good thing is team doesn’t need to depend on him on every situation so he can be rotated as well. All signs say it is perfect for him to be in WC since Argentina don’t completely or heavily depend on him but he still is the catalyst in the team and can contribute in key moments and make the team better.
Leo paredes was so good but for me thaigo almada was the pick of the night what a player probably most talented Argentina play after messi right now I loved palacios he carred on what leo paredes left for palacios is so so underrated I liked G Simeone played as wing back
Franco mastantuono still raw ne needs time remember he is 18 years when messi made his Argentina debut mastantuono wasn’t even born wow and they played together tonight