Lionel Messi has spent nearly two decades defying time, but even the Argentina captain now admits the clock may have the final say on whether he appears at the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking candidly ahead of Inter Miami‘s MLS Cup final, Messi offered his clearest hint yet that he is unsure he will physically be able to compete at the tournament he once lifted in unforgettable fashion.

“I hope I can be there. I’ve said before I’d love to be there,” Messi told ESPN. “At worst, I’ll be there watching it live, but it will be special.”

It was an unusually restrained reflection from a player whose career has been built on setting impossible standards, and meeting them.

Messi will turn 39 during the tournament, and while he remains one of MLS‘s dominant forces, he was honest about the demands of another World Cup cycle. Even so, he insisted Argentina will arrive in North America prepared to defend their crown.

“The World Cup is special for everyone, especially for us,” Messi said. “We have extraordinary players. The desire and excitement since Scaloni took over never changed.”

Messi warns of World Cup chaos

Argentina enter 2026 as champions, but Messi stressed that the global competition is too unpredictable for any favourites to feel comfortable.

“A World Cup is very difficult. Any national team can complicate things and knock you out,” he said. “Details can eliminate you.

“You might hit the post, lose on penalties… we were lucky last time. Even though we were superior in some matches, they still went to penalties, and we had Dibu who helped us win. Next time we might not win.”

Yet Messi believes the core of Argentina‘s success – mentality, chemistry and Scaloni‘s leadership – remains intact. The blend of veterans and emerging stars, he said, has created an environment where new arrivals adapt instantly.

“When a group is like this, it’s easier for newcomers to fit in,” Messi said. “The squad is full of winners. That makes everything contagious.”

He also pointed to a deep pool of contenders likely to challenge Argentina, listing Spain, England, France, Germany and Brazil as the strongest threats.

“There are very good national teams that want to become champions,” he added.

Fitness will decide Messi’s World Cup fate

Messi‘s biggest variable remains his physical condition. Although he recently signed a new three-year contract with Inter Miami and continues to deliver at a world-class level, he acknowledged that MLS‘s calendar requires an unusual rhythm for players used to Europe.

“I’m going to assess it day to day,” Messi said. “Being sincere and realistic, I need to feel good. This year I felt very good. Having a preseason in the middle changes everything, it’s like starting from zero. I think it will help me a lot.”

His decision to rest a hamstring issue during Argentina‘s qualifiers shows he is prioritising long-term health, something he rarely admitted earlier in his career.

Whether Messi ultimately wears the Argentina shirt next summer remains uncertain. What is clear is that he wants to, but only if he believes he can honour the standard he set in Qatar.