Argentina superstar Lionel Messi announced his decision over World Cup 2026 participation after completed a move to Major Soccer League side Inter Miami.

The 35-year old left PSG last week and admitted that he had two difficult seasons with the French side.

After deciding to join the MLS, many believe Lionel Messi is already preparing his retirement from football.

An opinion he confirmed today in press conference as he announced that he will not take part into the 2026 World Cup.

“As I said earlier, I don’t think I will participate in the next World Cup”, Messi said.

“I haven’t changed my mind about that. I’d like to be there to watch it, but I’m not going to participate.”

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However, reliable Argentina journalist Gaston Edul reports that the national team coach Lionel Scaloni will try everything to convince him to change his decision.

“Scaloni will try to convince Messi to play the next World Cup. They will definitely try to convince him. Scaloni will talk to Messi and try to make him continue because when he renewed Messi was a huge factor”, the TyC Sports journalist said.

“Scaloni knew that Leo was going to continue, the whole project is built around him. Messi talked to Scaloni after the World Cup and Scaloni had a big role in Messi to continue playing in the national team, so now Scaloni will try the same.”