Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami CF, is preparing for what could be a record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance as Argentina seek to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has insisted that captain Lionel Messi will determine when his international career comes to an end, stressing that the veteran forward’s relentless hunger for success remains the driving force behind his continued excellence.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Diario Olé ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the World Cup-winning manager dismissed concerns about Messi’s future with the national team, saying the decision to retire rests entirely with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami CF, is preparing for what could be a record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance as Argentina seek to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022.
Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami CF, is preparing for what could be a record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance as Argentina seek to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022.
Scaloni expressed confidence that the 38-year-old remains fully committed to the national team and will continue playing for as long as he feels capable.
“He will play until he wants to because we already know what he is and it is not surprising that he plays his sixth World Cup,” Scaloni said.
The Argentina boss praised Messi’s mentality, noting that despite winning virtually every major trophy available at club and international level, the former FC Barcelona star continues to demand more from himself.
According to Scaloni, it is this unwavering ambition that separates Messi from other elite players and enables him to maintain his place at the top of world football.
According to Scaloni, it is this unwavering ambition that separates Messi from other elite players and enables him to maintain his place at the top of world football.
“He continues to be the best because he always wants more and shows he wants more,” Scaloni added.
The manager revealed that Messi’s competitive nature remains evident even in routine club matches, where he still becomes frustrated by minor setbacks and constantly strives for improvement.
With the expanded World Cup format set to place greater physical demands on players, questions have emerged about how Argentina intend to manage their captain’s workload during the tournament.
However, Scaloni made it clear that decisions regarding Messi’s involvement are reached through consultation rather than imposed restrictions.
“Every decision we have made, we have discussed with him. It is useless for me to sit here and say that I decide: in his case, and I think it is deserved, I will always talk to him and ask him how he is, and we see if we reach an agreement,” he said.
The coach added that Messi’s influence extends beyond his physical condition, arguing that his presence alone can inspire teammates and affect opponents.
“I think it has to be that way, because I repeat, he, even being on the pitch with a lot of difficulties, has given us a lot. So there are times when it is even better that he is in difficulty because of everything he generates,” Scaloni noted.
Argentina, known as La Albiceleste, are currently completing preparations for the World Cup with friendly matches against the national teams of Honduras and Iceland.
Following the warm-up fixtures, the South American champions are scheduled to begin their title defence against Algeria, with Messi expected to once again play a central role in Argentina’s pursuit of another historic triumph.
