Lionel Messi will chase the “not possible” dream of gracing a sixth World Cup, claims Jorge Valdano, with a promise made on his Argentina future.
- World crown secured at Qatar 2022
- All-time nice intends to play on
- Might grace sixth World Cup finals
WHAT HAPPENED? There had been recommendations forward of the 2022 finals in Qatar that mentioned event can be Messi’s final, however the 35-year-old impressed his nation to world glory within the Center East and he’s not prepared to go into worldwide retirement simply but. Former Albiceleste star Valdano claims a record-setting journey might prolong via to the defence of a prestigious crown in 2026, with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner having vowed to delay his profession if an elusive prize was secured.
WHAT THEY SAID: Valdano has advised Cadena Cope of Messi: “Once I interviewed him earlier than the World Cup, off digicam he advised me that he was going to play in his fifth World Cup and that no footballer had performed six; he advised me that it was not possible, and he advised me ‘if I am a World Champion I am going to preserve my shirt on till the subsequent World Cup’. We’ll see if Messi is succesful. Soccer has proven that it’s virtually not possible to play in six World Cups.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has left the door open for Messi – who has 172 caps and 98 objectives for Argentina to his identify – to stay a part of the squad via to an occasion that’s set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, saying: “We have to save him for the subsequent World Cup – 2026. If he needs to maintain enjoying, he might be with us. He’s greater than entitled to determine what he needs to do along with his profession now.”
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Getty PhotographsGetty
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WHAT NEXT? Messi, who made his worldwide debut in August 2005, is taken into account to have ended soccer’s GOAT debate along with his exploits on the 2022 World Cup – with the all-time nice additionally strolling away with a history-making second Golden Ball.