&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Messi to not play in FIFA World Cup 2026? Argentina star gears up for 'very special match' at home")
Lionel Messi is one of the most famous footballers not only today but of all time. His every move is tracked by fans and media alike and the speculation about him playing the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026 getting hotter as the days pass by. The talisman footballer, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in the last edition, has not made clear yet about his plans of sitting out or playing the next year's World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada. Messi, however, may have been playing his last game before the home crowd when Argentina take Ecuador in last World Cup qualifier match.
Messi drops major hint on retirement plans
While the Argentine star has still refrained from sharing his complete future plans, he has acknowledged that the game against Ecuador on September 10 is going to be a 'special one.' With the World Cup being played in North America and Messi already at 36, this could very well be his last home game.
“It’s going to be a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match,” Messi said after his MLS club Inter Miami beat Orlando City to enter the Leagues Cup final.
Another reason Ecuador game could be Messi's last at home is no clarity over Argentina's plans on scheduling friendly games in the coming months.
Trending Stories
)
Pranit More Rs 370 Biryani row: Man behind the viral remark breaks silence, says he 'improvised' his story
)
Raakh ending explained: The final episode is far more devastating than it appears
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony: Shakira, Nora Fatehi, LISA and more-a look at all the performers of the night
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
China's Gaokao vs India's JEE: Comparing the world's toughest entrance examinations
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Watched Maternal Instinct? Stream these 5 similar crime investigation documentaries on Netflix
)
Trillionaire Elon Musk's net worth after SpaceX IPO equals 25 per cent of India's GDP and more than 160 countries' output
)
Trump reiterates Iran deal to be signed Sunday, IRGC says 'not happening'
)
How RSI-India, inspired by MIT, is giving Indian school students a taste of cutting-edge research
)
Peddi Row: Leaked chats and make-up artist reveal Janhvi Kapoor objected to oversexualized shots, but was ignored
)
Araghchi faces backlash over US-Iran peace deal as protesters gather outside Foreign Ministry office
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How US fighter jet pilots can change a missile's target after launch
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Pele to Ronaldo: Ranking the 5 Greatest Brazilians at FIFA World Cups
)
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson detained at Heathrow Airport under counter terrorism powers
)
New CCTV Footage Emerges Linked to Shootout at Khan Sir's Institute
)
Stones pelted, trains vandalised, warning shots fired: Bihar exam protest turns violent at Patna Railway Station | VIDEO
)
'Message from space': Did CIA destroy an alien message? Newly released UFO files reveal bizarre 1958 mystery
)
'This is sh*t': Trump's probable Iran-US deal faces pushback from Israeli officials, IRGC hardliners
)
'Bad smell' leads to discovery of rotting body near Iran team's FIFA World Cup camp in Tijuana
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
The own goal that ended in murder: The tragic story of Andres Escobar and 1994 FIFA World Cup
)
‘No food in the fridge’: Why Elon Musk, world’s first trillionaire, lives in 400 sq ft home?
)
G7 Summit: Trump to Meet Zelensky in France as Ukraine War Escalates
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Kyiv Struggles To Replenish Frontline Forces, Turns To Foreign Recruits
)
Mathematician who correctly predicted last 3 World Cup winners reveals FIFA World Cup 2026 champion
)
King Charles leads Royal Family during Trooping the Colour 2026 celebrations
)
US restricts access of Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable to Americans only. Is globalisation dead in the age of AI?
)
FIFA 2026: Paraguay’s Bobadilla nets first own goal of ongoing World Cup
)
'Faced racism in the US?': Indian student's visa rejection after unusual question sparks debate
)
'US and vassal forces...': North Korea issues BIG statement on nuclear status amid US-South Korea denuclearisation talks
)
Why Nepal joins Japan in banning Indian Mango imports & how it could impact exporters
)
How Pakistan's provinces are poorer than some of the world's poorest nations
)
India's $2 billion drone push: Why batteries could be biggest winner in defence-tech boom
)
UFO files: ‘Alien base’ on the moon’s dark side? Secret NASA audio recording from Apollo 16 reveals...
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Battlefield simulation’: Why is the US Army increasing paratrooper drills in the Middle East
"I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches, but it is a very special match, so my family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings. We’re going to live it like that. I don’t know what will happen next," the star footballer added.
Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026
The defending champions have already made it to the 48-team quadrennial event after beating arch-rivals Brazil 4-1 in March earlier this year. So far, Argentina lead the World Cup qualifying table in their region, i.e. South America with 35 points from 11 wins, two draws, and three losses in 16 games
