The president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, said on Tuesday that he “imagines” Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup and that the captain of the Argentine team, who is 36 years old, can “quietly” play in the next World Cup.
“Yes, I think (Messi) and I want him to be there,” Tapia said during his participation in the Sport Summit Leaders event, which will be held in Buenos Aires, adding that “with the conditions he has, he can easily play 26 World Cup”.
Messi will turn 40 in the next edition of the tournament, which will be played in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
“I see him in the World Cup playing in the position he wants to play because he really can and it depends on what he wants, but without a doubt that is also my dream,” he said. Wall.
After praising the “best player in the world” saying he “always wants more”, “he never leaves you” and “he always surprises you”, the AFA boss pointed out that Messi’s participation in the next World Cup “depends on him”, “on his desire” and “on his hunger to win things”.
New, the Copa América 2024
However, before there is another appointment with the Albiceleste, the Copa América 2024, which, if performed by the captain of Argentina, will make managers and followers “happy”.
Tapia said Messi is “happy with the team”, with the group of teammates and the coaching staff he leads Lionel Scaloni.
The Inter Miami striker arrived in Argentina on Tuesday to join the training sessions of the Albiceleste, current world champions, with a view to the double date of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
The player will take part in evening training directed by Scaloni from 4:30 pm (7:30 pm GMT).
His success in the United States
“I love seeing him well, with new challenges and keep winning things, it’s incredible,” said Tapia, who was enthusiastic when expressing: “He’s making a football that’s not seen by many that the whole world is watching” and a league “that’s more competitive than it was.”
“I am lucky because of the relationship I have with him, because he is very affectionate,” said the AFA president, “proud” and “blessed” that the captain gave him his home and his family.
The road starts on Thursday
Argentina this Thursday begins its defense of the world title achieved in Qatar 2022, with a match against Ecuador, and then it will travel to La Paz, where it will face Bolivia.
“It’s still a screwed-up tie,” because “they are games that one wants to have in another instance,” described Tapia.
Although the South American qualifiers were “tough competition”, Tapia saw that they will continue to “enjoy everything this team has built and will continue to build”.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
