Your current location:HOME >world >Messi not planning to play at 2026 World Cup 正文
TIME:2024-05-22 03:39:51 Source: Internet compilationEdit:world
Lionel Messi said he "doesn't think" he will play at another World Cup in an interview with Chinese
Lionel Messi said he "doesn't think" he will play at another World Cup in an interview with Chinese media on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old led Argentina to victory at last year's tournament in Qatar, and immediately after that triumph refused to rule out playing in the 2026 finals in North America.
However, when asked by China's Titan Sports in a video interview if he might feature at the 2026 tournament, Messi replied: "I have said several times before that I don't think so, that (2022) was my last World Cup.
"I will see how things go, but in theory I don't think I will be around for the next World Cup," he added in Spanish.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is currently in Beijing where Argentina will play a friendly against Australia on Thursday.
Earlier this year, Messi said it would be "very difficult" for him to play at another World Cup. He will turn 39 during the 2026 edition.
Argentina will play Thursday's friendly against Australia at the 68,000-capacity Workers' Stadium in Beijing. The match is a repeat of the last-16 tie between the teams at the World Cup in Doha, which Argentina won 2-1.
Garnacho debut
Meanwhile, Manchester United striker Alejandro Garnacho is looking forward to his debut with Argentina, saying his decision to represent the South American country is final.
Born in Spain to an Argentine mother, the 18-year-old told TyC Sports on Monday: "I feel Argentinian, I am Argentinian. They bet on me and it was clear to me. It's a very big national team, a very good opportunity and my whole family is very happy."
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form2024-05-22 03:02
Jilin eyes stable foreign trade growth in 20242024-05-22 02:46
20th CPC Central Committee 2nd Plenary Session Issues Communique2024-05-22 02:21
Multiple safety issues haunt Boeing2024-05-22 02:14
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email2024-05-22 01:54
Blinken's Mideast trip dubbed futile exercise2024-05-22 01:31
Concerns raised over Japan fund for Ukraine2024-05-22 01:09
Quan, Wang add two golds for China at diving World Cup in Berlin2024-05-22 01:09
Nigella Lawson, 64, reveals she would 'never take Ozempic' as a weight2024-05-22 01:00
Antique beauty of architecture of the Ma Family Courtyard on Huimin street2024-05-22 00:58
Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal2024-05-22 03:33
In pics: French Open Badminton tournament2024-05-22 03:29
New faces set to lead China2024-05-22 03:14
Rice bred in southern China grows well2024-05-22 02:48
Christopher Reeve Super/Man documentary2024-05-22 02:43
Auto experts decry threat of US curbs2024-05-22 02:29
Experts call for halt to toxic water discharge2024-05-22 01:58
Concerns raised over Japan fund for Ukraine2024-05-22 01:45
Cannes 2024: Studio Ghibli takes a bow with an honorary Palme d'Or2024-05-22 01:35
China's experience with gender equality shared at UN2024-05-22 01:18