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Argentina fans are in for a treat with reports claiming that Lionel Messi is likely to be back in time to help the country's qualification bid for the 2026 World Cup. The 37-year old, who is currently nursing an injury that he suffered in the Copa America final, has reportedly made his intentions clear regarding the World Cup qualifiers.
Reputed football journalist, Gaston Edul, who works with TyC Sports and reports on Argentinian football closely, has claimed that Messi aims to be fit and available for the La Albiceleste's qualifiers scheduled to start in September 2024 after working on his rehabilitation.
Messi had to leave the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia early in the second half due to an ankle injury. With the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in tears after he was replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez in the 66th minute, speculation was rife that this could be his last major international tournament.
Argentina resume their World Cup qualifying campaign on September 5 against Chile at home in Buenos Aires. They currently lead the table on 15 points from six matches, with their only loss coming against Uruguay in November last year.
Lionel Messi aiming for one last World Cup?
The news broken by Gaston Edul gives hope to Argentina as well as football fans in general that they are likely to see Lionel Messi don the Blue and White strip for longer than many had expected.
"Lionel Messi, as always, wants to play for the Argentine national team and aims to be available for the matches in September. He is working on his rehabilitation and according to the timelines, he is expected play," the TyC journalist said via his official X.
He added:
"There’s still a month to go, and he needs to follow certain steps, but the captain’s will is to be there, and he is likely to make it in time to play for the national team."
Messi, currently plying his trade at Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami, won the Copa America held in North America this summer. His international trophy collection also includes the FIFA World Cup he lifted in Qatar in 2022, Argentina's first since 1986 and another Copa America trophy in 2021, which broke the country's 28-year trophy drought.
The question on every football fan's mind is when, arguably, the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, will hang up his boots. With this news, there will be hope that fans will get to see the diminutive attacker on the greatest stage once again in two years' time when North America hosts the World Cup.
