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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>All-time great under contract at Inter Miami</li><li>Has extension option to take in next World Cup</li><li>Fully committed to club and country for now</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi's Argentina future not 'relevant' to Lionel Scaloni as national team boss clarifies his own position heading into 2026 World Cup

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<p>Questions continue to be asked of how much longer the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will play on for. Messi is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-in-line-for-sensational-barcelona-return-this-year-with-inter-miami-contract-call-set-to-trigger-mls-transfer-clause/bltfa627e3e749f554f?utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_id=756zj81nznddkpk8&amp;utm_source_platform=msn&amp;utm_source=msn_en" target="_blank">tied to terms at MLS side Inter Miami for the 2025 campaign</a>, but no decision has been made on what happens after that.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>There is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-stay-inter-miami-2026-happy-claim-alexis-mac-allister-argentina-international-future-mls-world-cup-trophy-defence/blte1763b48093403e0" target="_blank">confidence in Florida that Messi will agree to trigger a 12-month extension</a>, taking him through the next World Cup finals in 2026. Defending champions Argentina are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-will-make-another-world-cup-aged-39-if-he-wants-to-argentina-inter-miami-2026/bltb5aa3ea2e511c168" target="_blank">hoping to have their talismanic captain available</a> for that tournament.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>No pressure is being put on Messi, though, to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/explained-when-lionel-messi-2026-world-cup-decision-made-alexis-mac-allister-speculating-argentina-another-tournament/blt216172f80eb6b904" target="_blank">make definitive statements</a> on his plans, with Scaloni telling <a href="https://www.dsportsradio.com/ " target="_blank"><em>DSports Radio</em></a>: “Now is not the time to talk about it. The truth is that I don't see it as relevant. He will know what is best for his career and we must let him decide in his own time.”</p>

WHAT LIONEL SCALONI SAID

<p>Scaloni is only <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-scaloni-signs-new-contract-argentina-manager-rewarded-world-cup-triumph/blt2dc96e4c7c08c11c" target="_blank">working on a deal with the Albiceleste until the summer of 2026</a> and said when asked about his own future: “The day I leave the Argentine national team will be the saddest day of my life. For now I'm fine, this is a dream place. I'm not thinking about that right now.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Scaloni will be keeping a close eye on Messi, who is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/treat-best-player-world-lionel-messi-defended-inter-miami-team-mate-mexico-only-latin-american-country-doesnt-enjoy-watching-friendly-controversy/blt4fc6b568304383a2" target="_blank">back in pre-season action with Inter Miami</a>. He is set to turn 38 in June, but is showing no sign of slowing down – as the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wasnt-my-mvp-usmnt-legend-alexi-lalas-reacts-lionel-messi-award-inter-miami-superstar-named-best-mls-2024/bltf4316515654b3054" target="_blank">reigning MVP of MLS</a> – and continues to add to record-breaking tallies of 191 caps and 112 goals for his country.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

Lionel Messi's Argentina future not 'relevant' to Lionel Scaloni as national team boss clarifies his own position heading into 2026 World Cup | Goal.com India

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni says big calls regarding Lionel Messi’s future, both domestically and internationally, are not “relevant” at this time.

Lionel Messi&apos;s Argentina future not &apos;relevant&apos; to Lionel Scaloni as national team boss clarifies his own position heading into 2026 World Cup

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