Javier Zanetti responds when asked if 38-year-old Lionel Messi should be Argentina captain at 2026 World Cup

Javier Zanetti has asserted that Lionel Messi should feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Argentina. He said that the Inter Miami superstar is still capable of leading and making an impact for his national side.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico next year. Argentina will look to defend its title, having won it in Qatar in the 2022 edition. However, there are doubts about whether their skipper, Lionel Messi, will feature in the tournament.

Moreover, questions have also been raised about whether the 38-year-old should be leading the side even if he features in the Mundial. Javier Zanetti shared his thoughts in an interview with FourFourTwo, saying:

“I don’t agree with that. Messi is fully capable of continuing as a leader. He’s intelligent, knows better than anyone how to interpret what the team needs, and is surrounded by great players in the national team. I’m convinced that with him, Argentina will be a major contender again at the next World Cup.”

Lionel Messi has captained Argentina to numerous trophies in the last five years. Along with the 2022 edition of the Mundial, they have also won two Copa America trophies and one La Finalissima.

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Javier Zanetti on whether Lionel Messi could make an impact for Argentina at 2026 FIFA World Cup

As he's in the twilight of his career, there have been doubts about Lionel Messi's potential impact for Argentina at the World Cup. Moreover, he plays for Inter Miami in the MLS, which could lead to less top-level match practice for him. The forward hasn't confirmed his presence at the tournament next summer yet either.

When asked if the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner should continue playing, Zanetti answered:

“That has to be his decision, but I think yes. There are only a few months to go, and I believe he also wants to represent his country again. I have no doubt it will happen.”

When asked if Lionel Messi can still make an impact, the Inter Milan legend added:

“I don’t know if that can be seen in the short term, but I think the time has come for Messi to enjoy football. The most important thing now is that he enjoys what he does. The World Cup will surely be an important testing ground to see how he feels, and then he’ll decide, calmly, whether to continue.”

Messi scored 43 goals and provided 26 assists in 49 games across competitions for Inter Miami in the recently-concluded season.

Edited by Aditya Singh