Messi to miss Olympics but leaves door open for 2026 World Cup

Eighttime Ballon dOr winner Lionel Messi has confirmed in an interview with US broadcaster ESPN that he will not attempt to win a second gold medal with Argentina at the Paris Olympics this summer I spoke with Argentinian Olympic coach Javier Mascherano and we immediately agreed on the situation Inter Miami forward Messi said in the interview broadcast on Wednesday Its a difficult moment because theres the Copa America and that would mean two or three consecutive months away from my club At my age I dont want to play everything and I need to make the right choices added the former Barcelona star who was a member of Argentinas 2008 Olympic gold medal winning team Messi who turns 37 on June 24 will be with defending champions Argentina at the Copa America from June 20 to July 14 in the United States just a few weeks before the Olympics start on July 26 Messi however has not closed the door on taking part in a recordbreaking sixth World Cup to be held in 2026 between the US Canada and Mexico Its great to have records and continue to achieve things but I wont take part in a World Cup just to say Ive done six said Messi If I feel good and everything is in place for me to be there fine but I wont go just to go Its very difficult to imagine what can happen because its still two years away I dont need to commit right now to whether or not Ill be thereAlso ReadlsquoThoughts in the sky dreaming of EurorsquoThe record eighttime Ballon dOr winner is nearing the sunset of his remarkable career But before he decides to hang up his boots for one last time he will have an opportunity to lift another Copa America title with ArgentinaAs he continues to thrive at the international and club level Messi addressed his future and admitted that he is not prepared to leave footballIm not prepared to leave football I did this all my life I enjoy the training the games The fear that everythings is going to be over its always there I think Inter Miami is going to be my last club Messi told ESPN Argentina as quoted from GoalcomHis compatriot Julian Alvarez previously addressed the potential future of the talismanic forward and the speculations about Messi being a part of Argentinas plans for the futureLets hope so Hes going to decide until when but we want him to be there its better Alvarez told ESPNMessi has earned 180 caps for Argentina and has scored 106 goals in the international circuit He is the thirdhighest goalscorer in the international stage with only Ali Daei and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him in the scoring chartFor Inter Miami he has 13 goals and 11 assists in 18 matches in the MLS Earlier this year he was crowned as the Best FIFA Mens 2023 player after beating Erling Halaand and Kylian Mbappe to secure the top spot for the third time in his illustrious careerHe became the first player to ever win the award while playing in the MLSAll the top three players Messi Mbappe and Halaand did not attend the ceremony in London The 36yearold stayed in Miami for their first preseason game of the 2024 campaignWith agency inputs