Inter Miami‘s latest signing has shared his future plans ahead of the upcoming friendly match against Australia in Beijing on Thursday. The growing interest in Argentine football has reached China, where the reigning 2022 World Cup champions are preparing to engage in an end-of-season friendly encounter against Australia.
Lionel Messi, the team captain who recently transferred to Inter Miami from Barcelona, has sparked discussions again with his remarks in a televised interview aired in China. He addressed speculation about his participation in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Previously, after Argentina’s victory in Qatar, Messi hinted that he intends to participate in one more tournament, even at the age of 39. However, he has now expressed doubts about his involvement, stating, ‘I don’t think I’ll play in the next World Cup. I’d like to be there to witness it, but I won’t be on the field.’
Following his long-awaited World Cup victory, which he had been waiting for, the accomplished footballer stated that getting an eighth Ballon d’Or wasn’t a top priority for him. Messi stated, ‘At this stage of my career, if it comes, great. If not, it’s fine. Does it matter to me? No, it’s no longer important in my life. I’ve always emphasized that individual accolades hold little significance compared to the collective triumphs. Therefore, the World Cup remains the most significant trophy for me.’
As Messi prepares to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract ends this month, he was asked about his relationship with Pep Guardiola, the manager who led Manchester City to a historic treble, including a Champions League win. Messi stated, ‘Yes, and they deserved to win the Champions League. He is the preeminent coach in the world,’ referring to his former mentor at Barcelona.
In response to City’s victory over Inter, Guardiola expressed to the Argentine sports newspaper Olé that winning the Champions League brought him a similar sense of joy to what Messi experienced after his World Cup win.
Messi will start in the match against Australia on Thursday, but he won’t play against Indonesia in Jakarta on June 19. He’ll take a break before starting his new chapter in Miami.
Prior to his departure for the United States and Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi took the opportunity to reflect on the significance of his victory in Qatar, stating, ‘Having won the World Cup, the most important trophy that had eluded me, I feel content and grateful for the journey I’ve had. That’s what matters most to me,’ he concluded, according to reports from Argentinian broadcaster TyC Sports.