Lionel Messi leaves door open for 2026 World Cup: 'We will see'

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi added another award to his collection on Thursday.

Messi became the first recipient of the MARCA America Award, presented by the Spain-based media company. The award recognizes Messi's championship-laden career — one with a record 46 trophies won for club or country, and at least 56 other awards on the individual level.

"It has been quite the journey," the Argentine superstar said in Spanish during a moderated question-and-answer session at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami's home field. "We have experienced so many beautiful things but also complicated moments. In 20 years not everything is beautiful. You cannot win all the time."

For Messi, no title outshines the 2022 World Cup with Argentina that helped cement his legacy among the sport's greatest players. However, the 37-year-old Messi has won plenty and still feels the drive to continue adding titles. Similar to his titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi already has helped Inter Miami win hardware since he joined the MLS club in July 2023.

Although limited to 18 MLS matches this season because of an ankle injury and national team commitments, Messi has 17 goals and 15 assists to help lead Miami to the 2024 Supporters Shield. Miami will have home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs which begin next week.

"I was able to achieve the biggest prize, which is the World Cup," said Messi, who had three goals and two assists in a 6-0 Argentina romp past Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. "It is the trophy all of us want when we start playing and I managed to fulfill my dream. We won many titles in Barcelona, Paris. Now we are here with the objective to fight hard for another title."

Messi's contract with Inter Miami