Lionel Messi has addressed the question of his participation in the FIFA World Cup next summer in an exclusive interview on NBC. The availability of the 38-year-old to feature in his country's defense of their world title has been a major topic of discussion in recent months. In his interview with NBC anchor Tom Llamas, Messi admitted that he is unsure of the possibility of featuring in the tournament next summer. The Inter Miami superstar admitted that while he'd like to play in the tournament, his participation would be determined by how he feels physically in the period leading up to it. "Playing at the World Cup 2026? I don't know yet, I’d like to be at the World Cup and be in good shape, to be an important part in helping my national team, if I’m there."I’ll evaluate that day by day when I start preseason with Inter Miami, and I’ll see if I can really be at 100%, if I’m able to be useful for the group, for the national team, and then I’ll make my decision."Obviously, I’m very excited because it’s the World Cup we’re talking about. We’re coming from winning the last World Cup, and being able to defend it on the pitch again would be amazing, because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official tournaments”, he said (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X). Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, leading his country to glory. The forward has since slowed down with age and fitness, playing a much-reduced role in the Copa America win of 2024. Messi's recent extension with Inter Miami is for three years until 2028, signifying his desire to continue playing at a high level for a bit longer. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has expressed his hopes for Messi to play in next summer's World Cup, as they hope to defend their crown. Lionel Messi named among FIFPro 2025 World XI nomineesInter Miami and Argentina ace Lionel Messi has made the list of nominees for this year's World XI. The veteran forward has enjoyed a fine year for club and country, earning him a place among the best footballers of 2025. The award, which is voted exclusively by over 20,000 footballers, takes into consideration performances of a player between July 2024 and August 2025. Messi and his fellow nominees will learn their fates on November 3rd, when the results of the voting will be revealed.Lionel Messi has been named among the 26 nominees alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, and Lamine Yamal. Midfielders Pedri, Kevin De Bruyne, Jude Bellingham, Joao Neves, Luka Modric, Vitinha, Cole Palmer, and Federico Valverde were nominated. The shortlist also featured Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Pau Cubarsi, Ahead Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, and William Saliba. Goalkeepers Alisson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Thibaut Courtois have also made the list for the honours.