Lionel Messi is focused on playing at next June’s Copa América in the USA, though the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner hasn’t completely ruled out appearing for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, he told an ESPN/Star+ documentary “Champions,

Lionel Messi, Argentina's football icon, faced a dual challenge during the World Cup qualifier against Brazil, reported by GOAL. Besides battling an adductor injury, Messi spoke out against the police violence that marred the pre-match environment at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi is not thinking about his international future beyond next year's Copa America, where he will try to lead the country to a second successive continental title at the tournament in the United States.

"I am not thinking about the World Cup and I am not saying 100 percent that I will not be there because anything can happen," Messi told Star+ one year on from Qatar. "Given my age, the most normal thing is that I will not be there.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has admitted that he would like to compete in the 2026 World Cup, but defending the Copa America title is his priority.