Leo Messi was voted the best player of all time in Qatar after winning the coveted World Cup 2022 trophy with Argentina, but he will not be in the first team at the next finals tournament.

Leo Messi will not participate in the World Cup-2026 as part of Argentina

After moving to Inter Miami, in the country that will organize the next World Cup together with Mexico and Canada, Messi also announced his plans, writes Sport.es.

“It was my last World Cup. I will see how things go, but in principle no, I will not go to the next World Cup,” Messi told Chinese television.

Although there was no unequivocal answer, but in 2026 the Argentine will turn 39 years old, by which time he may have finished his football career.

In the two games since the 2022 World Cup, Messi has scored each time, including a hat-trick in Argentina’s win against Curaçao, to take his tally to 102 in the blue and white shirt.

Argentina will face Australia and Indonesia in the Asian tournament on June 15 and 19, and their captain will mark the 175th and 176th matches in the first team shirt.