Messi Unsure About 2030 World Cup Future, Says Focus Remains on 2026 Campaign

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has admitted that he does not know whether he will feature at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, insisting that his full attention is currently on the ongoing tournament.

The 39-year-old forward, who continues to produce outstanding performances for Argentina, said thinking about another World Cup appearance is not something he is focused on at the moment.

“I don’t know. The truth is, I am not thinking about that right now. It seems a bit far off, but as I said, I am living one day at a time and focused on the present,” Messi said, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Inter Miami star has enjoyed a remarkable start to the 2026 World Cup, scoring five goals in just two matches. Messi netted a hat-trick against Algeria before adding two more goals in Argentina’s victory over Austria.

His performances have once again placed him among the tournament’s leading players as Argentina aim to defend their World Cup title.

Opinion: Messi’s response shows the mindset that has defined his legendary career — focusing on performance rather than future expectations. At his age, every tournament appearance carries extra significance, but his decision to avoid looking too far ahead allows him to concentrate on what he can still achieve.

Whether or not he appears in 2030, Messi’s impact on international football is already historic. The remaining question is how many more memorable moments he can create before he eventually decides to step away from the biggest stage.