Re: FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread
I also agree that Messi could still be able to lead the team at the 2026 Cup. Whether he is still able to play most or all the games or not remains to be seen, but going with the team could still be beneficial for everyone. Maybe he is one of those playing coaches and substitutes himself in when a free kick possibility comes up shortly before the game ends and he kicks it in! 
If Messi is still playing at the time then Argentina needs to take him to the world cup, after all there are many spots available and many players never enter the field, so Argentina can allow itself to waste a spot and take Messi to the cup, after all even if he is not at the top of his game there are skills which in theory should never go deteriorate, like the ability to score a penalty kick, so if the Argentinian team finds itself in a difficult position in which they are forced by their opponents to the penalty shootouts then having Messi on the bench ready to enter the field is a massive advantage. Actually, I think I already read somewhere that Messi stated that he would like to play in the next World Cup, but I don't know if it was his real statement or speculation.
However, I think it is obvious how much it means to both Messi and Ronaldo to play for their national teams and if they are physically fit and healthy in 2026 and continue to play football at a high professional level as they are now, I am confident that we will see both Messi and Ronaldo at the next World Cup.
With other football stars like Mbappe and Haaland, it will be another fantastic World Cup for the fans
