(CNN Spanish) — Lionel Messi is preparing for his arrival in MLS, following the announcement made last week that he would be leaving French club Paris Saint-Germain on June 30 to join Inter Miami.
Meanwhile, he is in Beijing, the capital of China, where this Thursday Argentina will play a friendly against Australia, in the re-edition of the duel of the round of 16 of the last World Cup, where the South American team won 2-1 to advance to the next round .
And if we talk about the Argentine team, the fans are eager to see what the future of the “Pulce” will be with the Albiceleste shirt, after last year he declared that the one in Qatar would be the last World Cup of his career.
Messi returned to the subject on Tuesday and his words have generated frustration among Argentines, since he confirmed that his idea is not to participate in the World Cup that Mexico, the United States and Canada will organize together in 2026.
Messi, who will turn 39 for this tournament, gave an extensive interview to Chinese outlet Titan Sport, and CNN Radio Argentina played the segment in which the footballer answers a reporter’s question about his attendance at the upcoming World Cup event.
“I’ve said it a couple of times, I think not, that this was my last World Cup. Now I’ll see how things go, but in principle I don’t think I’ll get to the next World Cup,” Messi said , confirming what he had said some time ago.
Messi’s title and Argentina in Qatar
Messi captured his first world title in Qatar last December, leading the team led by Lionel Scaloni and giving Argentina its third World Cup star.
Lionel Scaloni, the youngest coach in the World Cup, led an experienced group to the top. Argentina won 4 matches, lost one and drew two (with one penalty shootout won). It was the team with the most shots: 102, according to data from DataFactory.
The best player in the world, and perhaps in history, Lionel Messi scored 7 goals and reached 13 in all World Cups – he is the leader of the Argentines. He was the player who suffered the most fouls, 21. It was perhaps his last World Cup, and the best tournament he played.
The forward has scored against Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Australia, Holland, Croatia and France (2). He made 33 shots, more than anyone else in the tournament.
In addition, he won the Ballon d’Or of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
He played a total of 26 World Cup matches, a world record, and amassed 8 World Cup assists, the same as Maradona.