Lionel Messi leaving door open to play in 2026 World Cup?

It appears superstar Lionel Messi hasn't yet set a firm date for when he'll retire from international duty. 

"Honestly, I don’t even know," Messi responded when asked during an interview released Tuesday about how long he will continue playing for Argentina, per Felipe Cardenas of The Athletic. "It’ll happen when it has to happen."

Messi won the Copa America with Argentina for the first time in 2021 and followed that achievement by guiding his country to World Cup glory in Qatar last fall. After he confirmed last month that he intends to join Major League Soccer and club Inter Miami, he indicated he "won't go to the next World Cup." 

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will be 37 years old during next summer's Copa America hosted by the United States. 

"After winning everything recently, what’s left is to enjoy it," Messi added about playing for Argentina. "Time will decide when that moment comes. And logically based on my age, that time will come soon but I don’t know when it’ll be. I’m taking everything day by day. Just enjoying everything that we’re living through right now. After being fortunate enough to become South American champions and world champions, all that is left is to enjoy all of this." 

Some believed Messi would remain in a top-tier European league through the 2023-24 season to stay as sharp as possible for the upcoming Copa America, and one would assume MLS would like him to stay active through at least the 2026 World Cup that will feature games in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. 

"I really enjoyed this last World Cup because I knew that it could be my last one," Messi explained. "And to be honest, I wouldn’t still be on the national team had we not won the final. I’m sure about that." 

As mentioned by ESPN and other outlets, Messi landed in Florida on Tuesday and is expected to be unveiled as a new Inter Miami player this coming Sunday.