Teammate says Messi wants to play in U.S.-hosted World Cup in 2026

Soccer’s biggest superstar could return for one more trip to the sport’s biggest tournament.

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi plans to play in the 2026 World Cup for Argentina, according to club teammate Luis Suarez.

The upcoming World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with the final set for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“No, we do talk [about it]. Jokingly, many times, but he [Messi] also has that desire to play in next year’s World Cup. Obviously, after being away from the national team for a while, that desire is fading more on my side than on his, but we haven’t talked about it [retirement] yet.”

Suarez, who plays for Uruguay on the international stage, told El Pais, a Spanish newspaper, “We do talk. Jokingly, many times, but he also has that desire to play in next year’s World Cup. Obviously, after being away from the national team for a while, that desire is fading more on my side than on his, but we haven’t talked about [retirement] yet.”

Messi led his native Argentina to a World Cup title in 2022, the nation’s third championship and its first since 1986.

The 37-year-old has not confirmed publicly whether he’ll join his countrymen again next year. Argentina has already qualified for the event. Messi would turn 39 during the competition.