Lionel Messi’s Secret World Cup Promise to Argentina Legend, Revealed

Anything can happen in the World Cup, with clear favorites like Germany and Belgium getting eliminated during the group stages and Morocco's surprising upsets against Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. With that in mind, Lionel Messi had a promise to an Argentina soccer legend.

According to The Mirror, Messi told Argentinian soccer legend Jorge Valdano before the World Cup started in Qatar that if Argentina won the World Cup, he would continue his international career and play in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in three different countries in North America.

Shortly after beating Paris Saint-Germaine teammate Kylian Mbappe and his French side, Messi confirmed he will not be retiring from the international game yet and may have another World Cup left in the tank. However, Messi will be 39 in 2026.

Speaking to the Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Valdano said: "When I interviewed him before the World Cup, off camera he told me that he was going to play in his fifth World Cup and that no footballer had played six; he told me that it was impossible, and he told me "if I'm a World Champion I'll keep my shirt on until the next World Cup'."

Valdano also talked about the comparisons between his former teammate and Argentinian legend, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. He said both are geniuses, but the differences were when Maradona won the World Cup in 1986, he was in his physical prime at 26 years old, whereas Messi was already 35. Valdano noted that Messi had to bring out his genius and wisdom to win his World Cup.

La Albiceleste Comes Home to Argentina After World Cup Win

Following their successful win in Qatar, Argentina's national football team La Albiceleste went on a massive street parade in Doha, Qatar, before boarding an Aerolineas flight back to Buenos Aires.

When they arrived, it was still 4 a.m. But that did not matter, as Argentinians woke up early to greet their heroes in a massive street party, with fireworks and people draped in sky blue and white.

Lionel Messi proudly held the World Cup trophy up high while on their open-top bus before handing it to his teammates, whom all took turns lifting the prestigious award. Messi joined in on the celebrations, clearly enjoying all the love his fellow countrymen showed him and the team.

According to 1 News, President Alberto Fernandez declared a national holiday Tuesday so Argentinians can celebrate the World Cup victory.

Lionel Messi Comes Home to Rosario, Argentina

After some rest, Lionel Messi seemed to have a good night's sleep after returning home to Argentina, and yes, he slept with the World Cup trophy.

However, following that, he hopped into a helicopter and arrived home to where it all began, Rosario, where he was greeted by chants of "Leo! Leo! Leo!," as well as chants of "Ale Campeon!"

He arrived home with fellow World Cup Final hero and Rosario native Angel Di Maria. Fans were even waiting outside his home.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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