Argentina captain Lionel Messi refuses to rule out playing at 2030 World Cup after breaking tournament goals record

Argentina football star Lionel Messi has declined to rule out participating in the 2030 World Cup, despite currently being 39 years old. Messi, who recently broke the all-time tournament goalscoring record, stated that his future participation depends on his physical condition and ability to contribute to the team.
Why it matters
Messi is widely considered one of the greatest athletes in history, and his potential participation in a tournament at age 43 would be a historic milestone in professional sports longevity.
Lionel Messi has left the door open for a sensational appearance at the 2030 World Cup after cementing his legacy as the greatest goalscorer in the history of the competition. The Argentina icon, currently leading the Albiceleste s charge at the 2026 tournament in North America, recently surpassed Miroslav Klose to take his total tally to 18 goals across six editions.
The article is a straightforward sports report focusing on athlete quotes and career statistics without political or social agenda.
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