Lionel Messi may still be weighing up whether he will play at the 2026 World Cup, but behind the scenes, his preparation already reflects a player fully committed to one last push. Alongside Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the Inter Miami duo have intensified their workload significantly, training beyond club demands in a deliberate effort to arrive in peak condition for a potential title defence.
Messi and De Paul ramp up preparation with double sessions and extra trainer
According to an interview given by Rodrigo De Paul, both he and Lionel Messi have been following an intense, structured training plan for the past two to three months in Miami, well beyond their regular commitments at Inter Miami CF.“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,” De Paul said in an interview with Lo del Pollo.“We proposed a double shift for ourselves and we have our trainer there, and we give it our all.”That extra workload is layered on top of an already demanding MLS schedule, effectively turning each day into a two-part training cycle designed specifically with the World Cup in mind.
Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul, left, and Lionel Messi work out during a training session, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., ahead of Saturday’s of the MLS Cup soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Messi still undecided publicly, but preparing like a man chasing history
Despite not officially confirming his participation, Messi’s actions suggest he is seriously considering a return for what would be his sixth World Cup appearance.The 38-year-old remains central to Argentina’s plans after leading the national team to the 2022 title in Qatar, their third World Cup triumph following 1978 and 1986. During that tournament, Messi produced one of the greatest individual campaigns in World Cup history, scoring seven goals and providing three assists, earning the Golden Ball for the second time in his career (after 2014), a record unmatched by any other player.Since Qatar, he has continued to feature for Argentina, including appearances during the March international window where he played against Mauritania and Zambia, scoring in a dominant 5–0 victory over the latter.Argentina enter the 2026 tournament as one of the favourites, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, and are placed in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan ahead of the knockout stages.
Extra work already translating into elite form at Inter Miami
The benefits of the additional training are already visible on the pitch, particularly for Messi, who has delivered remarkable numbers early in the MLS season.Across 16 appearances this season, Messi has recorded 12 goals and six assists in his first 12 matches of the league campaign, underlining his continued influence despite being in the latter stage of his career.He also recently made MLS history by becoming the fastest player to reach 100 regular-season goal contributions, achieving the milestone in just 64 matches, 31 fewer than the previous record-holder.That run included a standout performance in a dramatic 5–3 win over FC Cincinnati, where Messi scored a hat-trick, further reinforcing the immediate impact of his intensified preparation.
Inter Miami CF midfielder Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his goal with teammate Rodrigo de Paul (7) during second half MLS soccer against Toronto FC, in Toronto on Saturday, May 9, 2026. AP/PTI(AP05_10_2026_000004B)
Alongside him, De Paul has also seen a noticeable upturn in form. The 31-year-old midfielder, who joined Inter Miami from Atlético Madrid and occupies a Designated Player slot alongside Messi, has registered three goals and seven assists this season.After a slower start, his performances have become increasingly influential, combining defensive control with bursts forward into attacking areas, a shift he himself has linked to his focus on maintaining match fitness and rhythm.
‘You can’t live without thinking about the World Cup’
For De Paul, the mental side of preparation is just as intense as the physical work, with the approaching tournament shaping daily focus and motivation.“You can’t live without thinking about the World Cup,” he admitted.“The closer it gets, the more those thoughts come into your head. With fear, uncertainty, joy… waiting for the squad list to come out. As for me, I’m super fired up and very hopeful. I think the national team is going to be a major contender again.”Both Messi and De Paul have already been included in Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary 55-man squad, with the final 26-man roster set to be confirmed by June 1.
De Paul also pointed to the broader mindset within the Argentina camp, emphasising that the squad’s hunger has not faded after recent success.“I see in my teammates a conviction and a hunger for it to keep happening. We won the Copa América and went for the second one, we won the Finalissima and we wanted to compete against Spain… The team is absolutely ready to give everything.”
MLS move, constant minutes and physical sharpness
De Paul also addressed how his move to MLS has shaped his preparation, pushing back against suggestions that leaving Europe could impact his level.“Personally, with the way I play and what I feed off, I know the most important thing is to play,” he explained.“That’s what’s going to give me what I need, which is to be physically ready to offer what the national team has always needed from me. A year and a half before the World Cup, I set myself the goal of playing.”“It’s happening for me, I play every three days and I haven’t had any injuries. I’m arriving in a great moment. I’d even say better than in other competitions.”He contrasted that with European competition schedules, adding: “Not playing in the Champions League… In the Champions League you play six or seven matches in a year. It’s not that decisive… The way I see it, I think I need minutes in my legs.”
Even talk of documenting the journey
The intensity of their preparation has even sparked ideas beyond the pitch, with De Paul revealing he has considered documenting the process, although Messi has been less enthusiastic.“Adding a bit of a movie feel to it… I film everything. I don’t know… ‘No, leave it, why are you filming me?’… ‘Come on, little man, maybe if it happens… a little documentary, we’ll make a few bucks,’” he said, laughing.
Lionel Messi, center, Micael Dos Santos Silva, left, and Rodrigo de Paul of Inter Miami are seen during warmups before their international friendly soccer match against Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Argentina targeting back-to-back titles in 2026
The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on June 11, with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, while the final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.Argentina will open their campaign against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas, with the expectation, both internally and externally, that they will once again challenge for the title.For Messi, it may yet become one final chapter. For De Paul, it is a mission already underway. And judging by the workload they have taken on together, neither is leaving anything to chance.