With just 81 days until Argentina begins its title defense at the World Cup, uncertainty looms over the participation of its biggest icon, Lionel Messi. The Argentine national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, revealed last Friday that the star has yet to decide whether he will take the field in the tournament, leaving fans in suspense.
Scaloni, who clearly wants to see Messi at the World Cup, did not shy away from expressing his support: “As for me, you already know my position. I will do everything I can to ensure that he is there. I believe that, for the good of football, he needs to be present. It is not up to me to decide. It is a matter of his state of mind and his physical condition.”
The pressure is not only coming from Argentines; the football world is eager to see the legend in action. “It’s difficult, because it’s not just the Argentines who want to see him, everyone wants to see him,” Scaloni added. He acknowledges that Messi has earned the right to decide his future calmly: “We are calm about that. We know that whatever decision he makes will be the best for the team and for him. We hope he is there.”
The reasons for Scaloni wanting Messi in the team are clear. During the 2022 World Cup, Messi was undeniably the best player, taking home the Player of the Tournament award after scoring seven goals in seven matches. The 38-year-old star has not lost his touch since then and continues to be one of the best football players in the world. In 2025, he became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 goals and won the Golden Boot, an award given to the league’s top scorer.
Furthermore, Messi not only led Inter Miami to win the MLS Cup last season, but he also secured the MLS MVP award for the second consecutive time, becoming the first player to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
If there are reasons for optimism regarding Messi’s participation, Scaloni pointed out that the forward will take part in two international friendlies before the start of the World Cup. Argentina will face Mauritania next Friday, and Messi is expected to play—although he may not start the match. Following that, the national team will take on Zambia on Tuesday, where the presence of the Argentine genius is also anticipated.
After these friendlies, the decision regarding Messi’s continuation with the Argentine national team for the 2026 World Cup will be in his hands. Argentina’s first match in the tournament is scheduled for June 16, giving the icon more time to reflect before making a decision that could impact not only his career but also the future of Argentine football. The 2026 World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, and the anticipation surrounding Messi could not be higher.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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