Lionel Messi has expressed his desire to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, though he acknowledged that his age and physical condition will determine whether he can defend Argentina’s 2022 title.

The 38-year-old recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami until 2028, signaling that retirement is not on his immediate horizon.

In an interview with NBC News released on Monday, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he plans to assess his fitness next year before making a final decision about participating in the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” Messi said. “I would like to be there, to be well, and be an important part of helping my team, if I am there. I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter, and see if I can really be 100 percent, if I can be useful, and then make a decision.”

Messi added that defending Argentina’s World Cup crown would be “spectacular.” “We’re coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is a dream,” he said.

The Argentine captain began his professional career with Barcelona in 2004, later joining Paris Saint-Germain before signing with Inter Miami in 2023. His move to MLS has helped boost interest in the league ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Despite an illustrious career filled with club and individual honors, international success long eluded Messi until Argentina’s victories in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where they defeated France on penalties.

“It was the dream of my life,” Messi said of the World Cup triumph. “It was the only thing missing at a professional level because I had been lucky enough to achieve everything else.”

Messi has played 195 matches for Argentina, scoring a record 114 goals. If he takes part in the 2026 tournament, it would mark his sixth World Cup appearance, extending another record in his storied career.