As Lionel Messi prepares for his 34th World Cup match, questions arise about his future in international football. Will this be his last appearance?
New Delhi, India Jul 19, 2026 ALN: Argentina are one win away from sporting immortality.
Lionel Scaloni's side are bidding to become just the third team to win successive World Cups, after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962). This monumental achievement would not only solidify Argentina's place in football history but also further enhance the legacy of their captain, Lionel Messi, who has been a pivotal force for the team throughout his career.
If they are to pip European champions Spain to the crown, they will need Lionel Messi to be at his best. Again. The stakes are incredibly high, and the anticipation surrounding the final is palpable. Messi, often regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has consistently delivered in crucial moments, and fans around the world are eager to see if he can once again elevate his team to glory.
Is he the greatest of all time? This question sparks intense debate among football enthusiasts, with opinions often divided. However, it cannot be denied that the Argentine maestro is among the best players to ever set foot on a pitch. His unique blend of skill, vision, and creativity has redefined the role of a forward in modern football, inspiring countless young players globally.
Win on Sunday and Messi will become the first captain to lift the World Cup trophy twice. This would be a crowning achievement for a player who has already won numerous accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards, and it would further cement his status in the pantheon of football legends.
After perhaps underwhelming in his first four tournaments, Messi was outstanding in 2022 - as Argentina won the trophy - and is now just one goal behind Kylian Mbappe in his bid to become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer. This remarkable turnaround in his international career is a testament to his resilience and determination to succeed on the world stage.
It is remarkable to think that Messi initially retired from international football back in 2016 before changing his mind. His journey has been filled with ups and downs, and his return to the national team has been met with widespread acclaim. Sundayās World Cup final will be his 34th appearance in the competition, but will it be the last we see of Messi in the famous blue and white stripes? The question looms large as fans and pundits speculate on his future.
If Messi decides to carry on with Argentina to 2030, then he would become the oldest outfield player to appear at a World Cup, at the age of 43 - unless, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo opts to keep going for Portugal. This potential scenario adds an intriguing layer to the rivalry between these two football icons, who have dominated the sport for over a decade.
Not only could Messi add a new record to his long list, but he would have the chance to play in one of the centenary matches held in Argentina at the start of the next World Cup. The significance of playing in a World Cup hosted in part by his home country is a compelling reason for Messi to consider extending his international career.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague doesn't think this is the last fans will be seeing of Messi at the World Cup. "Even if you hear it is the end, I doubt it but we'll see. I just see him with the national side, simply because he enjoys it," he said. This sentiment echoes the feelings of many who have followed Messi's career, as his love for the game and his country is evident in his performances.
Messi's 2026 World Cup has been nothing short of sensational. He has scored eight goals in seven games - two goals behind tournament top scorer Mbappe - and has carried Argentina into the final with a series of virtuoso performances. His ability to perform under pressure has been a hallmark of his career, and fans have witnessed some of his most dazzling displays in critical matches.
Argentina boss Scaloni hailed Messi as the greatest player ever, saying: "He is history, a legend. I feel proud, he is the best footballer the world has ever seen and reaching a final at 39 is something unbelievable - and that is why I said we must enjoy him." These words reflect the admiration that Messi commands not only from his teammates and coaches but from the entire footballing community.
"With Diego Maradona, we still miss him but Messi is still with us so we must enjoy him," Scaloni added, drawing a poignant comparison between two of Argentina's most celebrated footballers. The legacy of Maradona looms large in Argentine football, and Messi's contributions to the sport have ensured that his name will be remembered alongside Maradona's for generations to come.
His displays in North America continue a quite remarkable late career resurgence for Messi at World Cups. Fifteen of his 21 tournament goals have come since his 35th birthday. This statistic underscores the extraordinary longevity of Messi's career, as he continues to defy age and expectations by performing at an elite level.
Having already lifted the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, Messi showed he had the motivation to keep going in 2026. The question is whether that continues to 2030. "I feel that he hasn't said the last word yet," said Balague. "He finishes games, 120-minute games, at 39." This observation highlights Messi's remarkable fitness and stamina, which allow him to compete at the highest level even as he approaches the latter stages of his career.
There is also the factor of Messi playing at a World Cup in front of a home crowd. The 2030 World Cup will have six host nations. While the majority of matches will take place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, at least one game will be played in each of Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. A world stage game in front of an Argentine crowd may be too much for Messi to resist. The emotional connection to his homeland could be a powerful motivator for him to continue playing.
Messi himself hinted that the 2022 final would be his international swansong. "I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying," he said before the 2022 showpiece. His words reflect a sense of closure, but as history has shown, athletes often find it difficult to step away from the game they love.
"There are a lot of years from this year to the next one. I don't think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant," he added, expressing a sentiment that many athletes share as they contemplate retirement. That has obviously proved to not be the case. So regardless of what might be said after the 2026 final, keep an eye on 2030.
Messi didn't add to his goal tally in Argentina's semi-final against England, but his two assists in their late comeback victory mean he now has 12 World Cup assists, 10 of which have come in the knockout rounds. No other player on record has more than eight in total. This statistic not only highlights Messi's goal-scoring ability but also his vision and playmaking skills, which are crucial in high-stakes matches.
His career has been littered with individual records in club football: most Ballons d'Or, Barcelona's all-time leading scorer, most La Liga goals, most goals in a calendar year, and most official recorded assists. These achievements underscore Messi's dominance in club football, where he has consistently outperformed his peers.
As for his individual records at World Cups, they are as follows:
As the world watches the final unfold, the implications of Messi's performance will resonate far beyond the pitch. His legacy, intertwined with that of the Argentine national team, will continue to inspire future generations of footballers and fans alike. The narrative of Messi's career is not just about individual accolades; it is also about the spirit of teamwork, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Whether this final marks the culmination of his illustrious career or merely another chapter, one thing is certain: Lionel Messi's impact on football will be felt for years to come.
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