With Argentina finishing early in their qualifying campaign, Lionel Messi’s dream of playing in his sixth World Cup has come true.

Messi, currently recovering from injury in Miami, has officially learned that his country will be participating in the World Cup and now, with 443 days to go until kick-off (June 11, 2026), it is time to start thinking about something that is no longer so far-fetched. Everyone dreams of the captain leading the Argentina players to celebrate his 39th birthday in the middle of the World Cup.

“Yeah. I don’t know. I’ve been asked that a lot, especially in Argentina. I hope to end the year well, have a good pre-season, which I couldn’t do last year. Then see how I feel… We’re close, but there’s still a long way to go. I don’t think so; I live day by day without thinking beyond that,” Messi said at the end of 2024 when asked about whether he would play in the 2026 World Cup.

2025 started with a good pre-season, but also suffered minor injuries that prevented him from having the consistency he wanted. The No. 10 is eager to play in another World Cup, but he doesn’t want to rush into a public decision and be tied down by those words.

After winning the Copa America in Miami, Leo only appeared in 3 of the national team’s 8 matches (including the match against Brazil). And the team proved that they could do without him, although it was clear that everyone wanted him in the squad, because with Messi on the pitch, the dream of a fourth world championship did not seem impossible.

Meanwhile, Messi will continue his recovery, focusing on the big goals this year: the Club World Cup with Inter Miami, and the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will see him become the footballer with the most World Cup appearances in history.