Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said he hopes Argentine legend Lionel Messi plays in the 2026 World Cup but said the decision ultimately will be up to Messi himself.
Mascherano, who played in four World Cups and five Copa Américas for Argentina, was asked after Sunday’s 0-0 draw against the Chicago Fire whether he thought his former Albiceleste teammate would have the legs to be able to play in next year’s summer tournament.
Messi started and went the full 90 minutes against the Fire, hitting the crossbar twice in the draw. It was the former Barcelona star’s fourth game since April 2, and he went the full 90 in each contest.
Mascherano said he wasn’t concerned about Messi’s ability to handle the demands.
“The physical side and the legs, I have no doubt about it,” Mascherano said. “The mindset, too. But those are personal decisions. It’s his decision whether he’ll play in the World Cup or not. I don’t have to give my opinion. I can’t tell you because I’m not inside his head.”
Mascherano continued to say he hoped to see Messi play in the tournament.
“What I can tell you as an Argentine, I clearly want him to play,” he said. “And as a fan of this sport as well. Because there’s no player in the world who generates what he generates. We already saw it today, and today is one of the many examples over the last 15 or 20 years of everything he generates. People come to see him. That’s the reality. But, well, after that, the decisions are very personal. I try not to interfere. And I can tell you my wish — it’s not my opinion — my wish is, hopefully (he plays), first as an Argentine, second as a fan of this sport. We’ll see.”
Messi and Inter Miami are close to an agreement on a contract extension that would see the Rosario-born attacker open Miami’s new stadium next season, as reported by The Athletic on Friday. There is hope that by signing a new deal through the 2026 season, the likelihood that he plays in his sixth World Cup increases, as well.
Messi missed his country’s World Cup qualifiers last month in which they secured their spot in the 2026 tournament. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was asked whether Messi would be a part of the team and said his No. 10 needed to be left alone.
“We will see what happens, there’s plenty of time,” Scaloni said, according to reports. “We must go one game at a time, otherwise we will be speaking about the same thing the rest of the year and we need to leave him alone, we will see. He will decide it whenever he wants, let’s not drive him crazy with this.”
Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi have a close friendship as well as teaming up at Inter Miami. (Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
A record crowd of 62,358 were on hand at Soldier Field to see Messi lead Inter, which remained unbeaten in this MLS regular season. Messi has three goals and two assists in MLS play. Messi also has five goals and one assist in this season’s Concacaf Champions Cup. Miami advanced to the regional tournament semifinals Wednesday with a 3-1 win over LAFC, Messi scoring twice.
Mascherano was asked what he would say now to Messi, in relation to the example he continues to set as a competitor.
“Thank you,” said Mascherno, who has the second-most caps in Argentina’s history behind Messi. “Thank you for making us enjoy ourselves and for continuing to compete the way you do. I think he’s an example. I said it in the press conference midweek after the Los Angeles game. He’s an example for the new generations of how an athlete is in the final stretch of his career and, after having won absolutely everything, continues to lead the way in how to compete. He continues to teach all of us who are part of this club.
“And, well, it’s impossible not to follow him. In the end, we’re talking about someone who has already achieved everything in football, and he continues to strive. And after the effort he’s been making in recent games, he wants to keep playing, he wants to keep helping the team. I just want to thank him for showing us where the path is, and, well, we’ll try to follow him.”
Inter Miami next plays the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Cleveland before taking on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal first leg April 24.
(Top photo: Talia Sprague / Imagn Images)