Lionel Messi not thinking about title defense with Argentina in next FIFA World Cup

(Reuters) - 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 is enjoying his best time with Argentina.

 "As long as I feel good and I can continue to deliver, I'm going to do it (continue playing with Argentina). All I'm thinking about today is getting to the Copa America and being able to play in it," Messi told ESPN.

"Then time will tell whether I'll be at the World Cup or not. I'm going to be at an age (39) that normally doesn't allow me to play in the World Cup."

It seemed that after the 2022 World Cup I was retiring, now I want to be with the team more than ever. We are experiencing a special moment, I want to enjoy it to the fullest, without thinking two or three years ahead, which in football is a lot."

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has bittersweet memories of the last time the Copa America was held on American soil in the 2016 centenary edition, where Argentina reached the final but lost on penalties to Chile.

It was the third consecutive final Argentina had lost with Messi as captain, after the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa, before he led the country to claim the continental title in 2021.

The South Americans then went on to win the 2022 Finalissima against Italy before beating France on penalties in the World Cup final last year.

"Maybe we'll do well in the Copa America and everything will work out for me to continue. Maybe not. It's hard," Messi added.

"Being world champion changed me in the peace of mind knowing that, in my job, I could achieve everything."