Manchester City and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez does not want Lionel Messi to stop playing. Alvarez on Wednesday said he wants Messi by his side when Argentina take the field to defend their title in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lionel Messi led Argentina’s charge in the 2022 FIFA World Cup as the Inter Miami player completed football by winning every major trophy in the sport.
Now, as Argentina gear up to play the Copa America 2024, Julian Alvarez has expressed optimism that this might not be Messi’s last major tournament in national colours.
Speaking to GOAL, Alvarez talked about Messi’s future. “It will depend on him but I think if he wants to he can do it comfortably,” Julian Alvarez said.
Alvarez also talked about how he idolised Messi during his formative years. “When I was growing up he was my idol and I remember in the training sessions with the senior team I asked him for a photo,” Alvarez said.
“When I went to the senior team I got another point of view. It’s something crazy but also really nice and I try to enjoy every moment playing with him. And I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved with the national team in this time and which he got after searching for it so long,” he added.