Can you still see the "Mero War" at the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup?
Cristiano Ronaldo, who will compete at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has now played in the Saudi Arabian league. He hopes to play in another World Cup and try to make amends, even if he will be 41 years old by then.
And Messi, who already lifted the Hercules Cup at last year's World Cup, now also has the idea of continuing to play in the next World Cup for Argentina. Born in June 1987, the new generation of football kings will turn 39 in 2026.
In fact, after beating France on penalties in the World Cup final, Messi publicly stated that he would continue to play for the Argentine national team, "I won the Copa America and the World Cup in a very short period of time, and I enjoyed playing for Argentina. I want to continue to play a few more games for the team as a world champion. ”
"Play a few more games", how many games? At least for now, at the 2024 Copa America, defending champions Argentina will still be led by Messi.
Privately, Messi has said he does not rule out the option of participating in the 2026 World Cup. Although 39 years old is already an "advanced age" for footballers, there has never been a shortage of such "super veterans" in the World Cup.
Like last year's World Cup in Qatar, Portuguese star Pepe and Brazilian defender Alves are both 39 years old. Pepe also set the record for the oldest goal in the knockout stage of the World Cup at 39 years and 284 days. The record for the oldest goal in the entire World Cup final stage belongs to Cameroonian Mira, who was 42 years and 39 days old when he scored at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Argentina coach Scaloni also wants Messi to continue playing in the World Cup, "We need to reserve a place for Messi in the 2026 World Cup. If he wants to keep playing, he'll be with us. I think he has every right to decide if he wants to keep playing or what he wants to do in his career. ”
Of course, if he wants to play another World Cup, Messi must maintain his competitive form. This is the most important reason why he is not considering going to the Middle East to "pan for gold" like Ronaldo now.
On the issue of Messi and Paris Saint-Germain renewing their contracts, although Barca journalist Romero said that the Argentine has no desire to renew his contract, most sources have revealed that Messi is most likely to remain in Greater Paris.
When Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021, he signed a 2+1 contract. The current disagreement between Messi and Grand Paris is whether to activate the 1-year option to renew the contract or re-sign the contract.
After winning the World Cup, Messi signed a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain in December. Now, before the Champions League knockout round in February begins, it is highly likely that the two sides will reach a final agreement on a contract extension.
It is reported that Messi will extend his contract with Greater Paris until the summer of 2024 with an annual salary of 38 million euros. The premise of Messi's contract extension is to become the absolute core and leader of the team, and the tactics should be developed around him, while guaranteeing the voice of the dressing room.
Another important reason why Messi stayed in Europe was to try to surpass his lifelong rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League.
The first is to win one or two more Champions Leagues, and Messi now has four Champions League gold cups in his honor room, one less than Cristiano Ronaldo. In addition, Ronaldo also holds the all-time Champions League goal record of 141 goals, and Messi has scored 129 goals in the Champions League so far.