 "Messi says Scaloni wants him for 2026 FIFA World Cup: 'We've discussed it a lot, he always tells me...'")
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni wants Lionel Messi for the 2026 World Cup “in any role”, revealed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in an interview on Thursday. Messi also said that he wants to play the tournament that takes place in June-July next year in Northern America.
Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022 in Qatar to cement his status as one of the greatest in the history of football. Speculations remain rife over his participation on the upcoming World Cup which will be the Argentinian forward’s sixth if he features in it.
ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw live streaming: IST timing and where to watch in India on TV and online
And his recent comments do show his interest in being part of the La Albiceleste as they aim to defend their title.
Messi would love to play the World Cup
Messi told ESPN Argentina’s ‘SportsCenter’ that he hopes to play another World Cup.
“I hope I can be there. I’ve said before that I’d love to be there,” Messi said but he also kept the scenarios open of him not playing the tournament.
“At worst, I’ll be there watching it live, but it will be special. The World Cup is special for everyone, for any country – especially for us, because we live it in a completely different way,” he added.
He also said that head coach Scaloni is very clear about having Messi with him.
“The truth is we’ve been talking about it. He [Scaloni] understands, and we’ve discussed it a lot. He always tells me that he would like me to be there in any role. We have a relationship of great trust and we can talk about everything,” he said.
Messi also showed hope in Argentina’s chances of a successful title defence as he said that the Argentinian team is “full of winners.”
“The truth is we have extraordinary players, and it’s been shown for years – especially the desire and excitement since [Lionel] Scaloni took over,” he said. “The mentality everyone has. It’s a squad full of winners, with strong mindsets, who want to win more, and that’s contagious. You see it in training, in matches. You see them train and they give everything.”
Messi will next be in action coming Sunday when he leads Inter Miami in the final of the MLS Cup against Vancouver Whitecaps.
 "Thailand launches airstrikes on Cambodia in a setback to Trump's ceasefire deal")
 "'Not hawkish or dovish': 5 key things for Asia in Trump's new national security policy")
 "'With China, it's always we verify': Trump's top aide on trade deal with Beijing")
 "Why the Goa nightclub fire, which killed 25, was so difficult to contain")
 "Thailand launches airstrikes on Cambodia in a setback to Trump's ceasefire deal")
 "'Not hawkish or dovish': 5 key things for Asia in Trump's new national security policy")
 "'With China, it's always we verify': Trump's top aide on trade deal with Beijing")
 "Why the Goa nightclub fire, which killed 25, was so difficult to contain")
