‘It's very difficult to win a World Cup’ - Messi speaks on the challenges of trying to defend their World Cup trophy

Messi captained his team to the 2022 World Cup and won the trophy for the first time in his international career.

The Argentine legend scored a brace in the final against France, with the game ending in a 3-3 draw after regular time.

They went on to win the game 4-3 on penalties and lift the trophy for the first time since the days of Maradona.

Messi enters the final chapter of his illustrious career. The Argentine superstar sat down with ESPN to discuss their 2026 World Cup chance. 

In just over six months, the football world will turn its attention to the United States, Canada, and Mexico as Argentina seeks to defend the title.

Looking ahead, Messi acknowledged the immense difficulty of defending the World Cup title, noting that Argentina will now be the team everyone wants to beat.

"Winning took a huge weight off our shoulders. Playing without that pressure is a relief, but at the same time it doesn't guarantee anything," he cautioned.

"It's very difficult to win a World Cup. Small details can leave you out. Any national team can complicate things."

While he remains hopeful of participating in the 2026 tournament, he made no firm commitment. "I hope I can be there. 

“I've said before that I'd love to be there," Messi concluded. "At worst, I'll be there watching it live, but it will be special. The World Cup is special for everyone."

While his participation as a player remains uncertain, Messi confirmed he has discussed a potential future role with Scaloni for the 2026 World Cup.

"The truth is we've been talking about it," he revealed. "He always tells me that he would like me to be there in any role. We have a relationship of great trust and we can talk about everything."