Lionel Messi's World Cup build-up is not being left to chance. Rodrigo De Paul has revealed that he and Messi have been working on a separate training plan for the last two to three months, with their own trainer and a double shift beyond club duties. That sits alongside Messi's form for Inter Miami, where the 38-year-old has 12 goals and 5 assists in his first 12 MLS matches.

How the extra work has been set up

De Paul was clear about the arrangement. "Between two and three months ago, we have had a training plan beyond what we do at the club, and the two of us kill ourselves to reach the best physical shape," he told si.com. He also said, "We proposed a double shift for ourselves and we have our trainer there, and we give it our all."

That is a serious level of commitment for a player who already has 198 international caps and 116 goals for Argentina. Messi also became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 regular-season goal contributions, doing it in 64 matches, 31 fewer than the previous record-holder. Even if the exact 2026 picture is still being framed differently by different sources, the evidence here is that Messi is preparing like the next World Cup matters.

Why Argentina and Scaloni still want him around

Lionel Scaloni has made his feelings plain. "Being able to see him play is something wonderful. Beyond whether it is his last World Cup or not. I don't like longing or thinking about what is going to happen, I want to enjoy the moment. Everyone wants to see him play," he said. He added that the idea of Messi stopping would be sad, comparing it to Diego Maradona's farewell.

Argentina are already planning for 2026 as three-time world champions, with a preliminary 55-man roster and Group J containing Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Messi's public future is still not settled, but his routine is starting to look like someone treating the tournament as a live issue rather than a distant one. If he keeps producing for Inter Miami at this level while doing the extra work De Paul described, Argentina will have every reason to keep building around him.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →