Angel Di Maria has suggested that Lionel Messi will play on beyond the 2026 World Cup, claiming that no “farewell” has been bid with Argentina.
Last qualifier taken in on Argentine soilDoubts cast over World Cup involvementClose friend expects career to continueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Messi’s latest outing for his country, which came in a qualifying clash with Venezuela, saw an emotional evening taken in at Estadio Monumental. He believes said fixture will mark his last competitive appearance on home soil.
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The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has also cast doubt over his involvement at next summer’s World Cup, with the 38-year-old unable to guarantee that he will form part of a global title defence in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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The expectation is that he will grace said event, as he remains a talismanic captain of the Albiceleste, with long-time team-mate Di Maria – who retired from international duty after winning the 2024 Copa America – of the opinion that Argentina’s GOAT has more football left in him.
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Di Maria told : “Leo hasn’t retired yet. It will be the last qualifying match, but he still has a World Cup and will surely have another match after. For me, it’s not a farewell. That’s why I didn’t go. I spoke with him. I’m happy that he’s still around.”






