Argentina won’t pressure Messi For Copa America

Argentina will not pressure Lionel Messi to play in the 2028 Copa America, with the decision resting entirely with the captain, according to Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia.

The 39-year-old has yet to announce his international future after helping Argentina reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with eight goals and four assists. Tapia said, “It is entirely his personal decision. He has been the benchmark for the team in every tournament. In 2022, we did not know whether he would play in 2026. He kept saying, ‘We are taking it one match at a time,’ and we saw him at his very best.”

Messi was named the best player at the 2022 World Cup and won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024. Argentina’s all-time leading appearance-maker and top scorer has played 207 matches and scored 125 goals in his 21-year international career. Tapia said, “We are proud of him. We want him to enjoy football, and we want to enjoy watching him.” Tapia also backed head coach Lionel Scaloni, whose contract expires at the end of this year. “My Plan A, Plan B and Plan C is Scaloni. We want him to stay. However, we have to respect whatever decision he makes,” he said.