Following an impressive debut in Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi is set to rejoin the international stage with Argentina this week, as South America begins its extensive qualifying journey for the 2026 World Cup, commencing on Thursday.
Just nine months ago, Messi added another jewel to his illustrious career by guiding Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar, solidifying his position as the preeminent player of his era.
The small 36-year-old superstar's life has seen a time of instability since that unforgettable night in Doha.
Saudi Arabia courted Messi following a contentious finish to his career with Paris Saint-Germain, but ultimately chose to embark on a new chapter with Inter Miami.
That move has proven to be an inspired decision, with Messi and his family settling in Florida seamlessly while enjoying success on the field, leading Inter to their first silverware and into the US Open Cup final.
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Inter coach Gerard “Tata” Martino, the former Argentina and Barcelona player, says Messi has been “liberated” by finally leading Argentina to the World Cup last year after several agonising major championship near-misses.
But the question hanging in the air as South America’s qualifying campaign gets under way this week, is whether Messi will be around when Argentina aim to defend their title in 2026, when the tournament is co-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Messi appeared to pour cold water on that prospect in comments made in June, saying he did not expect to play in the 2026 finals.
However he later admitted in an interview in July he had no clear idea of when he plans to call time on his international career.
“Even I don’t know when. It’ll happen when it happens,” Messi told Argentine media.
“After winning everything I want to enjoy the moment and wait for time to tell me when it’s the moment.
“Logically, given my age, one would expect it to be soon, but I don’t know for sure.”
Argentina’s World Cup-winning manager Lionel Scaloni is certainly in no mood to force the issue.
Scaloni is on record as saying that a place in the 2026 squad will be Messi’s for the asking if he chooses.
While the questions may continue to swirl around Messi’s future in future, there is less uncertainty about Argentina’s prospects for qualification for the World Cup.
Six of the ten teams competing in South American qualifying, which will be finished in September 2025, will automatically qualify for the finals thanks to the larger 48-team finals in 2026. The squad in seventh place will move on to the playoffs.
Given Argentina's prowess, it would take a massive upset for them to miss out on automatic qualification for 2026.
Messi and Argentina’s qualifying journey gets under way with a home fixture against Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday, before the team face Bolivia in La Paz next Tuesday.
Other games on Thursday see Paraguay take on Peru, while Colombia host Venezuela.
Friday sees two more fixtures, with Uruguay playing Chile in Montevideo while five-time World Cup winners Brazil make their entrance against Bolivia in Belem.
Brazil enter qualifying in a state of flux, with a new manager in Fernando Diniz, who took over from predecessor Tite in the wake of the Selecao’s World Cup quarterfinal exit to Croatia last year.
Whether Diniz will be in charge when Brazil arrive at the finals though is anyone’s guess, with the South Americans long believed to be targeting Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to lead the team to the finals.
The drama surrounding Manchester United winger Antony, who was expelled from the team this week following allegations of abuse made by an ex-girlfriend, has also interfered with Brazil's qualification preparations.
Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal has taken the position of Antony, who refutes the accusations.
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