Lionel Messi says he would listen to his body before determining whether he can fulfil his dream of playing for Argentina at the World Cup next year. The 38-year-old striker for MLS's Inter Miami helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, and he hopes to play when the "Albiceleste" defend the title in North America the following year. In an interview broadcast on Monday, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi told NBC News that he will wait until next year to see how his body feels before determining whether or not he will play in the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Messi, who turns 39 in June, stated, "It's something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup and I would love to,"
"If I am there, I would like to be there, to be healthy, and to play a significant role in supporting my national team.
"And I'm going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful to the group, to the national team, and then make a decision."
Messi, who began playing professionally in 2004, wants to have another opportunity to shine on the largest platform in football.

It's a World Cup, so I'm pretty excited. Playing for the national team, especially in official events, is always a dream, so it's amazing that we're able to defend it on the pitch after winning the last World Cup."
Messi, who made his La Liga debut with Barcelona at the age of 17, joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before moving to Major League Soccer in 2023.
Messi remarked, "The truth is that I like everything about living here," in reference to Miami.
"I spent a lot of time in Barcelona, which is an amazing city in my opinion. I grew up there and experienced many amazing times there, which we miss a lot.

"But Miami is a city that allows us to live very well, that makes us enjoy life, that allows us to be calm, that allows the kids to be themselves and live day to day."
Messi has made 195 appearances and scored 114 goals for Argentina's national team.