Lionel Messi's 6th World Cup Appearance On Limbo?
Lionel Messi had to exit from the Copa America 2024 final much before the game ended due to an ankle injury. He sat on the Argentine bench, his eyes glazed and face flush red after a tearful exit for the first time in his career.
Despite the tears on the ‘Messiah’, his face showed deeper anguish. Though he won the title in one of his “last battles”, the 37-year-old superstar, unfortunately, did not pass the fitness test that could lead the way for him to play his sixth World Cup in 2026.
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Messi felt muscular pain in his right leg in the second group match against Chile. This led to sidelining him in the following game against Peru. And the injury seems to have affected his later matches too. Messi could not deliver an impressive performance in the quarterfinals against Ecuador and missed his last chance in the penalty shoot-out as well.
These unfortunate turns of events surely doesn’t inspire much hope for his potential to play in World Cup 2025, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in two summers.
Though the Argentinian star has spoken about enjoying the tournament, he has suffered more injuries than the number of goals in the tournament.
Messi’s return to action may not come soon, though no official reports on his health have come out. However, his swollen ankle will need considerable time to heal.
Messi’s farewell to the national team is still on hold. Though he finished the Qatar World Cup 2022, saying it would be his last, he had left the door open for 2026.
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However, despite the desire to see one more World Cup with Messi being part of it, a sad reality that all the fans will have to realise is that Messi’s career has neared its end.
