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- Messi, who turns 38 this summer, has not announced his plans for the 2026 tournament
- 鈥淛okingly, many times, but he (Messi) also has that desire to play in next year鈥檚 World Cup,鈥� Suarez said
MIAMI: Lionel Messi has a 鈥渄esire鈥� to help Argentina defend its World Cup title next year, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez said.
Messi, who turns 38 this summer, has not announced his plans for the 2026 tournament being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The eight-time Ballon d鈥橭r winner was the Most Valuable Player of Argentina鈥檚 run to the championship at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Argentina has already qualified for 2026.
In a recent interview with El Pais, Suarez was asked whether he and Messi had talked about retirement.
鈥淣o, we do talk (about it). Jokingly, many times, but he (Messi) also has that desire to play in next year鈥檚 World Cup,鈥� Suarez said. 鈥淥bviously, after being away from the national team for a while, that desire is fading more on my side than on his, but we haven鈥檛 talked about it (retirement) yet.鈥�
Suarez, 38, of Uruguay, acknowledged that Messi had not confirmed he will play in the 2026 event.
鈥淣o, no, no, I don鈥檛 ask him either ... I know what he is like and I don鈥檛 ask him anything regarding that. Time will tell,鈥� Suarez said.
Messi made his World Cup debut as an 18-year-old in 2006 and also competed in the global competition in 2010, 2014 and 2018 before lifting the trophy in 2022.