The Thigh Injury Scare:
During a recent match, Messi suffered a setback when he had to be substituted due to a thigh injury. This incident left fans and pundits speculating about the impact it could have on his participation in future tournaments, including Copa America 2024 and the World Cup 2026.
However, the reassurance came from none other than his former national team coach, Tata Martino. Martino stated that Messi’s injury was not as serious as initially feared and clarified, “Messi and Jordi Alba were only experiencing fatigue; they did not sustain muscle injuries as initially thought. I’ve spoken to both of them, so there’s no need for pessimism as when they left the field.”
Copa America 2024 Participation:
Lionel Messi has confirmed his intention to represent Argentina in the Copa America 2024, provided there are no major obstacles. This tournament, to be held in the United States, offers Messi an opportunity to defend South America’s championship title. However, whether he will participate in the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain.
Messi’s decision to leave the pinnacle of European football and join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) is partly driven by his desire to prepare for the twilight of his career with the Argentine national team. Playing in a less competitive environment not only helps the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner maintain his fitness but also allows him to adapt to the ideal setting.
It’s also a chance for him to gain the support of American fans, as the next two major international tournaments Argentina is set to participate in are Copa America 2024 (from June 20 to July 14, 2024) and, further down the road, the 2026 World Cup.
Messi’s Outlook:
In a recent interview, Messi shared his perspective on his future plans: “I’m only truly thinking about Copa America 2024 for now. After that, we’ll see; it depends on how I feel. There’s a fact: I’m getting older, I’ve played over a thousand matches, and time passes for every player. I don’t know if my playing level will decline. I’ll assess how I feel every day. I can’t think about the World Cup because it’s far away, three years from now.”
Messi’s Triumphs and Frustrations:
Messi recently led the Argentine national team to victory against France in the World Cup final held in Qatar last December. During the interview, he expressed his disappointment at not receiving enough “recognition” as a world champion during his time at his former club, Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi emphasized, “I’m the only player among the 25 World Cup champions not recognized by my club. It can be understood because they (France) couldn’t retain the World Cup title.”
Enjoying Life at Inter Miami CF:
Messi is adamant about enjoying both his football and life at Inter Miami CF. He stated, “I love what I do; I love playing football, and now it’s in a different way. That’s why I decided to come to Miami. I want to experience it differently.”
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs until December 2025, and he’s not contemplating early retirement: “I don’t want to think about it because I want to continue enjoying what I do. I took a significant step leaving Europe to come here, but I don’t want to think about the next step.”
While Messi’s thigh injury initially raised concerns about his participation in Copa America 2024 and beyond, Tata Martino’s reassuring comments have provided some relief to fans. As the footballing world eagerly anticipates Messi’s future endeavors, including his potential appearances in upcoming tournaments, one thing is clear – Messi’s passion for the game remains as strong as ever, and his journey with Inter Miami promises to be an exciting chapter in his illustrious career.
