Messi just opened up in his latest private interview on the Simplemente Futbol program broadcast on YouTube on April 18. He expressed many problems in his life in the US, the 2026 World Cup, Barcelona, his family and David Beckham. “Not thinking about the 2026 World Cup is a lie,” Messi affirmed.

One of the topics that fans are most interested in is what Messi thinks about the decision to participate in the 2026 World Cup. The Argentina team has now officially won a place in the final round to defend the championship.

Recently, the President of the Argentine Football Federation, Mr. Claudio Tapia also expressed: “Our dream is to see Messi once again participate in the World Cup. We do not rush, everything will be decided by his feelings. Having Messi, that is a huge advantage for us in our ambition to win another World Cup championship. I have faith that the team will once again be crowned with the current generation of players.”

According to Messi: “I couldn’t ask for anything more. I missed the World Cup. Then I won it all, I achieved everything. As I said, I’m now just focusing on each day to enjoy everything.

But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it (going to the 2026 World Cup). Yes, I am thinking about it. This year will be a key year to decide whether I will participate or not. I want to find my best rhythm in competition and consistency again.

Messi also shared about Mbappe with recent revelations from the events after the 2022 World Cup final, that he was very angry when he saw the Argentine star return to PSG to practice, when both of them were wearing the Parisian team’s shirt.

“I understand Mbappe’s feelings. He has the peace of mind that he won the 2018 World Cup. But it’s also crazy what he did in the final, scoring four goals and still not being able to become a champion. The same thing happened to me in 2014, it was torture for me. You also look back and think, “I could have won two World Cups.”

No longer deciding to return to Barcelona, David Beckham is a great person
Messi confirmed: “My goal was to return to Barcelona, to where I always wanted to go. But that couldn’t happen anymore. After that, it was all a family decision. The fact that we won the World Cup also had a big impact. I made it clear that I didn’t want to play for another club in Europe, I didn’t want to go to any of them.”

“I wanted to experience life in America and play in MLS, but it was a family decision, we all made the decision together, winning the World Cup changed me a little, after all, I have fulfilled my biggest dream and I want to prioritize peace and serenity,” Messi expressed.

He also shared his first thoughts about David Beckham, the chairman and co-owner of Inter Miami, where he plays: “Beckham is a great guy. He doesn’t come around very often, but when he does, we share some great moments. He’s humble, down-to-earth and a really great guy – someone who’s always around people.”

Messi also revealed: “My sons only follow players like Lamine Yamal, Mbappe, Vinicius, Lewandowski or Haaland…

With Lamine Yamal, what he shows, what he is doing and has done, is incredibly impressive. Yamal won the EURO with Spain. He is only 17 years old, he is still developing and will continue to develop as a player, and will add more to his game, just like I did. He has incredible qualities and is already one of the best players in the world.

“Whether it’s with Suarez or with the young players in the national team like Lautaro Martinez and Alvarez, I always try to adapt. I don’t have the qualities I had when I was young anymore, but I try to help, in a way it’s good, because I also add new characteristics to my way of playing,” Messi added about his adaptation to today’s young players. That’s also how he gradually perfects a new style towards the 2026 World Cup.