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Messi's Dilemma: Will Argentina's Talisman Play in 2026 World Cup?
10 Oct
Summary
- Messi, 38, unsure if he'll lead Argentina's title defense in 2026 World Cup
- Scaloni admits Messi's retirement would be an "enormous loss" for Argentina
- Nico Paz identified as a player who can help limit the damage of Messi's exit
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Argentina's legendary footballer Lionel Messi faces a critical decision. The 38-year-old, who led his team to victory at the last World Cup in Qatar, is unsure if he will continue to represent his country in the upcoming tournament.
Messi's future with the national team has been a topic of much speculation. Just last month, he told TyC Sports that "at my age, it's only logical to think I might not" play in the 2026 World Cup. However, the football world has learned to expect the unexpected when it comes to Messi, who has consistently defied the limits of age and physics throughout his illustrious career.
Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, has acknowledged that Messi's potential retirement would be an "enormous loss" for the team. The coach admits that "there will be no heir to Messi," as the iconic player is truly irreplaceable, both as a player and a leader.
Nonetheless, Scaloni has been preparing for a future without his talismanic No. 10. The fundamental game plan has remained unchanged whether Messi plays or not, and the coach believes Argentina already has players capable of mitigating the impact of their captain's eventual retirement. One such player is Nico Paz, who is expected to play a crucial role in the team's transition.
As the world waits with bated breath, the question remains: will Messi lead Argentina's title defense in the 2026 World Cup, or will the curtain fall on his international career? Only time will tell.
