As the Copa América approaches, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi granted an exclusive interview to América TV (Argentina), discussing the impact of winning the World Cup on his life and the prospects for Argentina’s title defense in the continental tournament.
On the Copa América:
Messi: We can say we are the strongest team right now, but that doesn’t mean we’ll win easily. It will be a very balanced competition with strong teams.
About the Qatar World Cup:
Messi: I felt a lot of love, many people showed me kindness. My teammates said, “It’s because of him (referring to Messi) that I wanted to win the World Cup.” I’m always grateful for the affection I’ve received throughout my career.
On the World Cup final against France in Doha:
Messi: That’s football! Results happen like this. Everything has its cause and effect, everything is predetermined. God willed it to happen this way.
About the 2026 World Cup:
Messi: I don’t know what will happen in two years or how my body will be. I think about whether I can still contribute to the team, and that’s why I can’t say if I’ll participate in the next World Cup.
On Neymar:
Messi: It’s a shame he’s missing this Copa América due to injury. Brazil has a million players, a huge pool, and they always produce great talent. Even without Neymar, they have many options, so they’re a very strong and competitive team.
On retirement:
Messi: I focus on enjoying each day and don’t think too much about what might happen in the future. Age is just a number, and right now, I feel good.