Messi update adds to mystery as Inter Miami star sits on fence over future
Lionel Messi has added to the mystery over whether he will star at the next World Cup with another coy response on the subject.
The Inter Miami talisman is set to be 39 years old by the time the next tournament rolls around, and it remains to be seen whether he can be convinced to play. Given his exploits at the last World Cup, the Argentine superstar is regularly asked whether he is likely to defend the trophy in three years' time.
In truth, the former Barcelona hero has shown signs of fatigue while attempting to juggle his commitments for club and country of late. After an action-packed summer, which saw him lead Miami to glory in the Leagues Cup, his availability has been mixed in the past month.
He received the call-up to represent Argentina in World Cup qualifier clashes versus Ecuador and Bolivia but eventually only featured against the former. After scoring the winner with a sublime free-kick, he was substituted and was unable to appear in the next game.
His fitness struggles do not seem to have dampened Messi's desire to feature for his nation, however, and it seems that he still has plans to appear for a while yet. Speaking to Migue Granados, he explained what his long-term plans for his international career are as things stand.
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He admitted: "I don't know if I will reach it. I said that before. I'm not thinking about it yet because it's far away".
With the megastar having proven popular with supporters in the US, there will also be a clamour to see him in action at the upcoming Copa America in 2024 in the country.
Lionel Messi is still turning out for his beloved Argentina at the age of 37 (Getty)Addressing the possibility, he added: "I'm thinking about Copa America. The goal is to arrive in good shape for Copa America in the United States. It's going to be great. It will be looked into depending on how I feel at the time."
Still, this is seemingly a slight change in tone on the subject of potentially turning out for his country at the tournament in three years' time. Speaking in the summer he weighed up the prospect, telling Titan Sports: "I think not. [ Qatar ] was my last World Cup. I'll see how things go, but as it is right now, no, I won't go to the next World Cup."
Even if 2022 was the end of the line for Messi at the World Cup, it seems that his success in Qatar has left him dreaming of potentially taking one final step in his club career.
He added: "The idea was always there – and even more so after becoming a World Cup winner – to enjoy Argentine football, to play for Newell’s [Old Boys]. I used to go there as a kid. I used to go to the pitch there, it was my dream."
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