The door will always be open for the Argentina captain to participate in the 2026 World Cup, according to Lionel Scaloni.
Last month, Messi finally received the medal he had been yearning for, winning the World Cup in Qatar with a thrilling triumph over France.
Argentina defeated Les Bleus in a penalty shootout thanks to the PSG star, who scored twice in a 3-3 draw to bring his tournament total to seven goals.
As he motivated his side in what he declared would be his final World Cup, Messi, 35, also made history by becoming the first person to win two Golden Balls.
When Argentina defends their title at a tournament that will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026, the mercurial Messi will be getting close to 40, but head coach Scaloni hasn’t given up hope of being able to use the striker.
“I think Messi can get to the next World Cup,” he told Radio Calvia. “It will depend a lot on what he wants, on whether he feels good.
“The door will always be open. He is happy on the pitch and it would be very nice for us.”
Scaloni does not think Argentina’s World Cup success was essential to secure Messi’s place among the best players of all time.
“I don’t think it was necessary to be one of the greatest or the greatest. You always ask for more. I don’t know what else you are going to ask for now,” he continued.
“I am happy for him and for the country. For the joy we gave him and we gave ourselves. The days we spent in Argentina were full of euphoria and affection. It was worth it.”
Speculation has continued over Scaloni’s future despite the 44-year-old becoming just the third boss to win both the World Cup and Copa America, after Mario Zagallo and Carlos Alberto Parreira achieved that feat for Brazil.
Argentinian Football Association president Claudio Tapia rubbished talk that Scaloni may not stay on and the head coach stated: “Today I am happy where I am.”