Big Comment/ 'I dreamed of it': Lionel Messi drops subtle hints on his future and defending the World Cup in 2026

Lionel Messi was handed his 8th Ballon d'Or title as he was rewarded for guiding Argentina to the World Cup title last year. Messi was followed by Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe who finished in the second and third place respectively. Messi has virtually ended the ‘Goat’ with his latest personal accolade.

3 things you need to know

• Lionel Messi lifted his 8th Ballon d'Or
• Messi won the World Cup with Argentina last year
• Messi joined Inter Miami from PSG this summer 

Also Read: PSG star Kylian Mbappe's grand post after Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or 2023 goes viral

Lionel Messi might have confirmed his participation in the 2026 World Cup

On being asked which Ballon d'Or is special Messi refused to point out any single accolades. “Every Ballon d’Or is special.

The 36 year old also might just confirm his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “I have had immense successes at Barça but the rewards I have obtained thanks to Argentina are even greater. Winning the World Cup was crazy and I hope we win again the next edition.”

He further added, “I don't know but it’s different from the others. I was able to play in the best teams in the world, win the Champions League, the Copa America but the World Cup is really special.

“It was the only thing I was missing, most importantly, I dreamed of it when I was a child. It's so important in Argentina and I had this chance.”

Is Lionel Messi the ‘Goat’?

Also Read: 'King of the King': Netizens react to Lionel Messi winning Ballon d'Or for record 8th time

It was coming. Messi single-handedly put his country on the global map as Argentina lifted their third World Cup trophy. In a nail-biting final, Messi and Co. defeated Mbappe's France in Qatar and thus the Inter Miami star added the only trophy to his cabinet which had eluded him so far. Messi has often been compared with Cristiano Ronaldo as both players dominated the football scene over the years. But Portugal crashed out of the World Cup following a heart wrenching defeat against Morocco in the World Cup and Ronaldo's inability to add a World Cup medal widened the gap more.