Lionel Messi will head into what is expected to be his final FIFA World Cup 2026 still carrying the hopes of Argentina, nearly four years after leading the nation to glory in Qatar.
Messi, who turns 39 during the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, had appeared likely to retire from international football after Argentina defeated France in the unforgettable 2022 World Cup final.
The former FC Barcelona star scored seven goals and provided three assists during that tournament, including two goals in the final before converting his penalty in the decisive shootout.
“Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Messi said after lifting the trophy in Doha. Yet instead of walking away, he chose to continue.
The 2026 edition will now become a record sixth World Cup appearance for the Argentine captain, extending one of football’s greatest international careers.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has repeatedly acknowledged the challenge of eventually replacing Messi.
“There won’t be an heir to Messi,” Scaloni said last year. “There simply won’t.”
While Messi is no longer competing weekly at the highest level in Europe following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, he remains influential for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer.
The forward has scored 13 goals in 16 matches in 2026 after helping Inter Miami win the MLS Cup last season, showing he still possesses the quality capable of deciding major matches.
Messi is currently recovering from a minor hamstring issue suffered against Philadelphia Union, but Argentina expect him to lead the team into their opening World Cup game against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16.
The Argentine captain is also closing in on another milestone. Already the nation’s all time leading scorer and most capped player, Messi is just two appearances away from reaching 200 international matches.
Before the World Cup begins, Argentina will play warm up games against Honduras and Iceland in the United States.
Argentina will then face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J, with the match against Jordan taking place shortly after Messi’s 39th birthday.
Forward Julián Álvarez admitted the tournament could mark the end of an era.
“We all know this could be Leo’s last World Cup,” Alvarez said in an interview with FIFA.com. “It will be special for everyone because he is the best player of all time.”
Despite Messi’s importance, Argentina arrive with a squad filled with elite talent. Alvarez, now one of the team’s key attackers at Atlético Madrid, is joined by players including Lautaro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Cristian Romero and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Argentina’s strength without Messi was also evident during their 4-1 victory over Brazil in World Cup qualifying earlier this year.
Still, the spotlight remains firmly on Messi as he prepares for one more attempt at football immortality.
“As Argentinians, we always want to be champions,” Alvarez said. “There is no reason for this World Cup to be any different.”
