Messi focused on Copa America title defence, not long-term Argentina future

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina captain Lionel Messi is not thinking about his international future beyond next year’s Copa America, where he will try to lead the country to a second successive continental title at the tournament in the United States.

The 36-year-old said earlier this year that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he led Argentina to their third title, would likely be his last.

He is now not ruling out playing at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada and says he...