Lionel Scaloni: World Cup Winning Coach Confident of Seeing Messi in 2026 Tournament

• Lionel Scaloni is optimistic Lionel Messi will help Argentina defend their World Cup crown
• The veteran forward backtracked on his initial decision to retire after the 2022 tournament
• The 35-year-old will turn 39 at the next edition of the Mundial but Scaloni is not concerned

Lionel Scaloni is confident that Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi will feature in the 2026 World Cup for Argentina.

The veteran bagged seven goals and contributed with three assists, scooping the tournament's best player award to seal his status as perhaps the greatest footballer to have graced the sport.

It was feared the 2022 Mundial would be Messi's last dance at the global showpiece.

However, after helping Argentina to their third World Cup trophy, Messi made a sensational U-turn on his international future, per ESPN.

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This has got World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni dreaming of another Messi appearance four years later, despite the PSG man being 39 by then.

"I believe that Messi can reach the next World Cup. It will depend a lot on what he wants and what happens over time, whether he feels good or not," Scaloni told Calvia FM as quoted by Sportskeeda.

Scaloni admitted the door would always be open to the South American country's talisman.

"He is always happy on the pitch and it would be good for us too."

Messi scraps Argentina retirement plan

Messi made a stunning U-turn on his earlier retirement plans, Sports Brief reported previously.

The Argentinian captain was considering retiring from international football, but has reportedly abandoned those plans.

As noted by Football Espana, Messi previously stated that the Qatar tournament would be his last, as he set his eyes on claiming the elusive world title.

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Messi reveals objectives after football

Sports Brief earlier reported that Messi is making moves to secure his future after football, with the Argentine announcing he would invest in sports, media and technology around the globe.

The Paris Saint-Germain man, who is 35 years old, is reaching the twilight of his illustrious career and had claimed he would be retiring from international football after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

According to Marca, Messi’s company will explore opportunities that could include investing in professional teams or helping startup founders build football-technology companies.