Benfica defender Nicolás Otamendi has expressed his confidence that Lionel Messi will participate in the 2026 World Cup. Messi, who was the Most Valuable Player in the last World Cup, has not yet confirmed his participation in next year’s tournament.
Messi, who turned 38 on Tuesday, is currently competing in the FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Miami.“Obviously, as the World Cup approaches, he will make his decision,” Otamendi said about Messi.
Nicolás Otamendi
Added: “He will make his decision based on how he feels physically, but you will never take away from Leo the desire to compete, to be there, to help the team. It’s in his DNA. Leo is different.” The Argentine has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 13 league appearances for Inter Miami this season and was voted MLS Player of the Month in May. Messi’s greatest triumph for Argentina came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where La Albiceleste recovered from a surprising 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first match to win the tournament. The veteran striker followed that triumph by leading Argentina to the 2024 Copa América. Argentina has already qualified for next year’s World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.“Leo is Leo, the best player in the history of football,” Otamendi stated. “At the moment, he is living the moment. He is enjoying the Club World Cup. Leo’s focus is to keep competing, taking it month by month and seeing how he feels.”
Nicolás Otamendi
