Lionel Messi is still hoping to play in the next FIFA World Cup in the United States but former teammate Pablo Zabaleta has warned Argentina he is now a very different player

The Argentinian and Portuguese icons have extended their stays with their current clubs and have their sights set on the FIFA World Cup 26.

Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi hopes to be defending Argentina's FIFA World Cup title in the upcoming 2026 edition of the tournament, though he has yet to make a final decision on whether or not he'll play.

Former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta reckons teammates will have to feed the ball to Lionel Messi in good areas for the legend to win games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The question on everyone’s minds when Lionel Messi won FIFA World Cup 2022 was if he would be there for FIFA World Cup 2026? Well, the GOAT himself has ended all speculation that were rampant in recent months by confirming that he wants to play the tournament. But he also added that he would listen to his body.

Lionel Messi is widely considered the greatest football player in the history of the sport, but for a long stretch of his career, he was considered the best to never win an international trophy.

In a rare interview with NBC News, Lionel Messi wants to play in next year's World Cup and wants MLS teams to be allowed to spend more on players.