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Angel Di Maria makes bold claim about Lionel Messi's Argentina future
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- Angel Di Maria makes bold claim about Lionel Messi's Argentina future
Angel Di Maria makes bold claim about Lionel Messi's Argentina future originally appeared on The Sporting News
Lionel Messi scored a brace in Argentina 's last World Cup qualifier against Venezuela on September 4, at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match ended in a 3-0 win for La Albiceleste.
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Following the blow of the final whistle, the atmosphere took an emotional turn as Messi hinted that the match could be his last game for Argentina on home soil and told TyC Sports,
"To be able to finish this way here is what I always dreamed of - finishing with my people. For many years, I had Barcelona 's affection, and my dream was to have it here in my country as well. A lot was said over the years, but I'll keep the good moments we built with a group that tried but couldn't win it all, until it finally happened for me and a few from my generation. Everything we lived through was beautiful," as per GOAL .
While speaking about the World Cup next year, the Argentina national team captain candidly admitted that he has not 'made a decision yet' about featuring in the competition, and it will depend on his fitness.
"As I've said before, I don't think I'll play another World Cup… At my age, it's only logical to think I might not. Day by day, I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it. But when I don't, honestly, I don't enjoy it - and if that's the case, I'd rather not be there. So we'll see."
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"I haven't made a decision yet about the World Cup. Match by match, I'll finish the season, then have preseason, and in six months, I'll see how I feel. Hopefully I can finish this MLS season strong, have a good preseason in 2026, and then make a decision."
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While Messi's admission led to doubts about his future in the national team, one of his former teammates, Angel Di Maria , remains confident about the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's presence in upcoming matches for Argentina.
What did Angel Di Maria say about Lionel Messi 's Argentina future?
Di Maria retired from international football after lifting the 2024 Copa America trophy with Argentina. He and Messi have shared the pitch alongside each other for La Albiceleste in 113 matches for 16 years, during which they made 13 joint goal participations.
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Di Maria believes that the match against Venezuela was not a 'farewell' for Messi and told TyC Sports ,
"Leo hasn't retired yet. It will be the last qualifying match, but he still has a World Cup and will surely have another match after. For me, it's not a farewell. That's why I didn't go. I spoke with him. I'm happy that he's still around," as per GOAL .
Argentina will now face Ecuador in their next World Cup qualifier on September 9 at Banco Pichincha Monumental Stadium.
