Lionel Messi backed to play in 2034 World Cup - at 47 years old - as Inter Miami star set insane target by FIFA president Gianni Infantino

The evergreen Argentina international is still going strong at 36, with Ballon d’Or number eight collected in 2023. Messi has also helped Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup crown and is readying himself for another shot at Copa America glory in 2024.

Messi has hinted that he will continue to make himself available for his country through to the 2026 World Cup – which is due to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Fans across the globe would like to see him play on beyond that point, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino falling into that category.

Speaking to DSports at the CONMEBOL Legends match, Infantino said of seeing Messi make history by taking in three more World Cup tournaments: “We talked about the match, about the World Cup of course. We remembered the last World Cup and planned the next ones. We are very well, all happy, all in agreement, 2026, will be the first 48-team World Cup, it will be huge. It will be here in America, in the United States, Mexico and Canada. It will be a soccer party, a total success, I'm sure. I hope he [Messi] makes it to the next World Cup, the one after that and the one in 2034 as well. Whenever he wants.”

Messi has already graced five World Cups – having made his bow at FIFA’s flagship event back in 2006 – and finally got his hands on football’s ultimate prize at Qatar 2022. He is now up to 180 appearances for Argentina, with 106 goals recorded along the way – with both of those hauls smashing records for the South American nation.