A member of Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning squad has revealed his Lionel Messi wish for the 2026 edition of the tournament.
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Prior to the global showpiece in Qatar, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner had alluded to the World Cup in the Gulf being his last, but after La Albiceleste were able to triumph over France to be crowned champions of the world, Messi put any plans of an international retirement on hold.
Now, his national teammate Alexis Mac Allister has insisted that the entire Argentina squad is trying to convince the Paris Saint-Germain star to help the South Americans defend their title when the tournament makes its way to Mexico, Canada and the United States of America in four years' time.
"We don't want him to leave the national team. He said he was going to be his last World Cup but we don't want that," the playmaker said of Messi's international future, as per Goal.
"We want him to stay with us. He knows it. So let's see what happens.
"He sent a message to us yesterday, wishing us a very good year. He was very grateful to us.
"After the game [the final against France], we couldn't speak too much because we wanted to celebrate.
"I think we still don't realise what we achieved, but in the next five or 10 years we will."
The Brighton Hove Albion midfielder also revealed his joy at helping Messi win the World Cup trophy in the Middle East.
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"He deserves it. It was the only trophy he was missing and now he has it," Mac Allister added.
"I'm really glad to be part of this, to help him and the team to get that trophy. I'm really happy for him, [Angel] Di Maria as well, because they are two players who fought a lot in the last couple of years to get that trophy and to play for our country."
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