Messi returns to Argentina national team, officially enters World Cup 2026 participation mode

Messi returns to prepare for World Cup 2026

Argentina have qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada to defend their title won in Qatar 2022. The Albiceleste are one of seven teams that have already qualified for the finals, including Japan, Iran (Asia), New Zealand (Oceania) and the three co-hosts mentioned above.

Messi returns to Argentina national team for the first time in 2025, after missing out in March

Photo: Reuters

Messi was absent from the tournament in March, after he withdrew at the last minute due to injury. Without this 37-year-old star, the Argentina team still maintained its strength when defeating two formidable opponents, Uruguay with a score of 1-0 and rival Brazil with a score of 4-1 to officially get the first ticket from the South American region to the 2026 World Cup.

In the two upcoming matches in June, the Argentina team will face Chile (away, 8am on June 6) and Colombia (home, 7am on June 11), both Vietnam time. These matches will likely be a test for coach Scaloni for new elements and new tactics, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup in the middle of next year.

"However, Messi's return is also extremely important. This will mark a step forward for Messi to gradually confirm his participation in the 2026 World Cup, which he has been hesitant about until now," said journalist Gaston Edul of TyC Sports channel.

Gaston Edul has been following the Argentina national team and Messi's journey for many years, including the Copa America championships in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 World Cup and the 2022 Finalissima.

Besides Messi, coach Scaloni also recalled talented players such as Valentin Barco, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas Dominguez and Taty Castellanos. Other pillars such as goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, center back Cristian Romero, midfielders De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister and strikers Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are all named.

Argentina's schedule from now until the end of the year is very busy, in addition to the final rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America (until September). In October and November, the Albiceleste are also expected to have friendly matches in Angola (Africa), and then to Qatar.

"In March 2026, the Argentine national team is scheduled to have a friendly match with the Singapore national team, and the Finalissima 2026 championship match (Intercontinental Cup with the European champions) against the Spanish national team, also scheduled to be played in March 2026," Gaston Edul added, but did not confirm whether Messi would participate in these tours or not, except for the Finalissima match.

Messi is about to renew with Inter Miami, after Jordi Alba just signed until December 2027

Inter Miami FC has just announced that it has officially signed a contract extension with veteran defender Jordi Alba until December 2027. This is considered a step that has almost sealed Messi's future with the team of president and co-owner David Beckham.

Messi always creates a fever of viewers and ticket prices skyrocket at the stadiums he plays in in the US.

Photo: Reuters

Alba came to Inter Miami because of Messi's invitation. Therefore, when this close friend renewed, it was considered that Messi also agreed to renew until the same time and will retire together here.

According to the American press, after Alba's contract extension, other familiar teammates of this player such as Messi, Sergio Busquets and Suarez will also announce their contract extensions in the near future.

Mr. David Beckham and the co-owners of Inter Miami have always determined that the "quartet" of Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Jordi Alba are the main players in the development of Inter Miami, including the new project Miami Freedom Park, which is about to launch in early 2026, and must have these famous players playing.

Inter Miami will soon compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, so the long-term presence of these four famous players is bringing new confidence to fans, despite the current period when they are somewhat stagnant with a series of 6 matches with only 1 win, 1 draw and 4 losses. The next match between Inter Miami and city rivals Orlando City is at 6am on May 19.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-tro-lai-doi-tuyen-argentina-chinh-thuc-bat-che-do-tham-du-world-cup-2026-185250516101338529.htm