With 81 days to go before Argentina begins its World Cup title defense, it’s unclear whether their best player will take the pitch. Lionel Messi is still reportedly undecided on whether he’ll play in the event, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday.
If it was up to Scaloni, Messi would participate in the event. Scaloni said he would do whatever he could to make sure Messi takes part in the 2026 World Cup, per ESPN.
"As far as I'm concerned, you already know where I stand," Scaloni said. "I'll do everything I can to make sure he's there. I believe that, for the sake of football, he has to be there. It's not me who decides. It's up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition.
"It's difficult because it is not just the Argentinians who want to see him, everyone wants to see him," he said.
"I want him to be there. It's up to him to decide. He's earned the right to make that decision with peace of mind. We're in no rush about it. We know whatever he decides will be best for the team and for him. We hope he will be there."
Scaloni has many reasons for wanting Messi to play for Argentina. At the 2022 World Cup, no player was better than Messi, who took home the Golden Ball award as the best player of the tournament after scoring seven goals in seven games.
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The 38-year-old Argentinian legend hasn’t missed a beat since then, and still remains one of the best soccer players in the world. In 2025, he became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 goals and won the Golden Boot award, which is given to the league’s top scorer.
He not only won the MLS Cup with Inter Miami last season, but also took home his second straight MLS MVP award, becoming the first player to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
If there is a reason for optimism that Messi will play, Scaloni said the forward will take part in two international friendlies leading up to the World Cup. Argentina will take on Mauritania on Friday and Messi is expected to play — though potentially not start — during the contest. Argentina will then take on Zambia on Tuesday, and Messi is also expected to play in that match.
After that, it’s up to Messi to decide whether he wants to keep playing for his country in the 2026 World Cup. Argentina isn’t scheduled to play their first match in the event until June 16, giving the legend some more time before he has to make a decision.
The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 through July 19.
