Lionel Messi discusses the possibility of participating at the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has left the door open to competing at the next World Cup, even though he will be 39 years old when the tournament comes around.

The 36-year-old reached the pinnacle of the sport when he led the Albiceleste to their third World Cup title in Qatar 2022, and following the tournament, he announced that would be his last. However, his stance has since changed, and he is now considering the possibility of playing in the next edition.

What Messi said

Speaking to Infobae's Pollo Alvarez, Messi explained that playing at the 2026 World Cup in the USA/Mexico/Canada will be contingent on his sensations.

"It depends on how I feel, how I am physically, and being realistic with myself," Messi said. "There's still a lot of time left... in quotes, 'a lot and a little,' because it goes by quickly, but there is still some time and I don't know how I will be at that moment.

"Age is also a reality that is there, even though it's just a number. The matches I will play now aren't the same as those I played when I was in Europe, competing every three days, either in the Champions League or in the league, whether in France or Spain.

"But it depends on how I feel and what I feel being alongside my teammates, and seeing if I am still up to the level or not. Let's see!"

Meanwhile, Messi has revealed how he copes with players trying to throw him off his game on the pitch by "b*tching" at him.