<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/skipper-messi-could-skip-bolivia-match-due-to-fatigue-23308366" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Lionel Messi</a> is not ruling out another bid for World Cup glory with Argentina in 2026 despite acknowledging that time is working against him.&nbsp;
Messi, who recently won his eighth Ballon d&rsquo;Or, raised the World Cup almost a year ago after starring for Argentina in the final against France in Doha.&nbsp;
The 36-year-old had suggested at the time that the tournament in Qatar would be his last and that he wouldn&rsquo;t be around for the next tournament which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.&nbsp;
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But having moved to Major League Soccer&rsquo;s Inter Miami and continued performing for the national team in qualifiers for 2026, he says the door remains open. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not thinking about the World Cup and I&rsquo;m not saying 100 percent that I won&rsquo;t be there because anything can happen. Because of my age, the most normal thing is that I won&rsquo;t be there. Then we&rsquo;ll see,&rdquo; said Messi in an interview with Argentina&rsquo;s Star+.&nbsp;
The Argentina captain said his focus on June&rsquo;s Copa America which will be held in the United States. &ldquo;Maybe we&rsquo;ll do well at the Copa America and everything will work out for us to continue. Maybe not. Realistically it&rsquo;s difficult,&rdquo; he said of the chance of a sixth consecutive appearance in the World Cup.&nbsp;
&ldquo;As long as I feel I&rsquo;m well and can continue to contribute, I&rsquo;m going to do it. Today all I&rsquo;m thinking about is getting to the Copa America.&rdquo;
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Messi, who recently won his eighth Ballon d’Or, raised the World Cup almost a year ago after starring for Argentina in the final against France in Doha

Messi leaves 2026 World Cup door open

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Messi leaves 2026 World Cup door open

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