Lionel Messi is still working hard to win more trophies. Most recently, he assisted Inter Miami in capturing the MLS supporters’ shield. Messi prepared for Argentina’s impending 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by working out with his teammates on the national squad.

In addition, he took care to write a heartfelt goodbye message for his former colleague Andres Iniesta before the training session, since the Spaniard had declared his retirement. Given that the two superstars have been playing together since their days at La Masia, it seems logical that Messi would say something so enormous to Andres.

Lionel Messi shared a photo of himself and Andres Iniesta on Instagram, claiming that their time together at Camp Nou was the “most magic” he had ever experienced.

“One of my favorite teammates to play with, and the teammate with the greatest magic. The ball will miss you, Andrés Iniesta, and so will we,” Messi said on Instagram.

Before Iniesta left Barcelona to join Vissel Kobe in Japan, Messi and the latter played together for several years. He played with the J-league team until 2023, at which point he joined Emirates Club.

The 40-year-old, who won the World Cup and Euros with Spain in addition to the triple with Barcelona, took home every trophy available at the club and international levels.

Lionel Messi practices for the 2026 World Cup.

Prior to Argentina’s FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Bolivia in 2026, Lionel Messi practiced with his teammates on the national squad. Due to an ankle injury he suffered during the Copa America 2024 final in July, Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni did not include Messi in the roster for the team’s previous two qualifiers against Chile and Colombia in August.

After recovering from the ankle injury, the 37-year-old has been performing well for Inter Miami. Actually, the Argentine squad was hosted by the Herons at their Miami, Florida, training facility.

Argentina’s team to play Bolivia and Venezuela in the World Cup qualifiers:

Walter Benitez, Juan Musso, Guido Rodriguez, Nico Paz; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Guido Rodriguez, Nico Paz; Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho, Julian Alvarez, Valentin Carboni, Paulo Dybala, and Lionel Messi.