Focusing On The 2024 Copa America And The 2026 PD Target, Lionel Messi Apparently Doesn't Want To Retire

Lionel Messi doesn't want to retire and will strengthen Argentina. (Twitter @Argentina)

JAKARTA - Argentina captain Lionel Messi has stated that he is focused on the 2024 Copa America. Messi wants to bring Argentina to defend the championship title rather than think more about whether to retire or not after the Copa America.

Lionel Messi fulfills his dream of winning trophies while leading Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

After bringing Argentina to win trophies for the third time after the Mario Kempes (1978) and Diego Armando Maradona (1986) era, Messi is said to be retiring from the national team

The age of 36 when the former Barcelona star won the Qatar World Cup shows that it will be the last time. This was said directly by Messi ahead of the championship.

However, he seemed to have denied hanging up his boots in the national team. Messi, who is now defending MLS club Inter Miami, said that he did not rule out appearing in the 2026 World Cup which was held in three countries, the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The United States once hosted the 1990 World Cup. Meanwhile, Mexico acted as host at the 1986 World Cup. Only Canada has never had the opportunity to host.

Messi said that while he was in the best condition, he had not thought about retiring in the national team. Currently, he is focused on facing the Copa America.

"As long as I'm in good shape, I'll keep playing. And, I'll give it to Argentina. Now, I'm completely focused on the Copa America. I'm sure I can play in that tournament," said Messi.

"Time will show whether I can play in the World Cup or not. At the World Cup, I am 39 years old. So it's only natural if someone suggests I don't play in the World Cup," he said again.

"After the 2022 World Cup, I seem to want to retire. But now I want to be with the team more often. We have enjoyed a special experience. I want to enjoy it without having to think about the next two or three years. In those years there have been many incidents in football," said the Ballon d'Or winner eight times. this.

Messi has failed to win titles in major tournaments many times. While captaining Argentina, he has reached the final three times at the 2014 World Cup, the Copa America 205 and a century edition in the 2016 Copa America. But it all ended in failure.

He could only win the Copa America in 2021 and then bring Argentina to win the 2022 Finallissima which brings together the Copa America champions with the European Cup. Argentina beat Italy in the event.

At its peak, Messi brought La Albiceleste world champion in 2022 after beating France on penalties.