Lionel Messi says he will continue to play for Argentina beyond the Copa America final

“As I said before, I intend to continue,” he said on Tuesday evening after Argentina wins 2-0 in Canada. “I intend to continue living day by day without thinking about what will come in the future or whether I will continue or not. It's something that I simply live every day. I am 37 years old and only God knows when the end will come.

Messi scored his 109th international goalhis first in this year's tournament. It was his 14th in the Copa America, three shy of the record.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner spoke outside the locker room at MetLife Stadium, where he announced his retirement after missing a penalty in the shootout loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final. He reversed his decision seven weeks later and scored 54 goals in 73 international appearances He has since taken his appearances for Argentina to 186 as he helped them win the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.

Teammate Angel Di Maria Di Maria intends to retire after Sunday's match against Uruguay or Colombia in Miami Gardens, Fla. Di Maria, 36, made his international debut in 2008 and has scored 31 goals in 144 appearances.

“This is my last battle. There is nothing left to say that I have not said many times before,” Di Maria explained: “This is my last match. I have to thank all the Argentines and this generation that has allowed me to lift so many trophies.”

Di Maria teamed up with Messi to lead Argentina to their third World Cup title and 15th Copa America title.

“We enjoyed it a lot,” Messi said. “He always gave the best of himself and everything he had. and him retiring in the final is something he simply deserves.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni hopes Di Maria will reconsider his decision.

“We don't want to start crying nowWe don't want to feel melancholy,” Scaloni said. “We have to let him play and then we will see if we can convince him or not to stay with us.”

South American qualifying for the World Cup will resume in September, with each national team scheduled to play 12 additional matches. The 2026 World Cup final will be held at the MetLife on July 19.

“We will never be the ones to close the door,” Scaloni said. “He can stay with our team as long as he wants. “And if he wants to retire but still come and spend time with me, that would be great. And if he wants to come with me somewhere else, I'll take him everywhere so he can decide what he wants to do.”