Lionel Messi stands on the verge of sporting immortality. If Argentina beat Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final, he will become the first captain to lift the trophy twice and cement his place as the greatest player in the history of the game.
But for all the records within reach, one question looms larger than any other: is this the last time we will see Messi in the famous blue and white stripes?
The 39-year-old has already played at a record six World Cups, and Sunday’s final will be his 34th appearance in the tournament, another record. He has scored eight goals in seven games in North America, dragging Argentina to the final with a series of virtuoso performances. He also has 12 World Cup assists, more than any other player on record.
Messi’s World Cup journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After perhaps underwhelming in his first four tournaments, he was outstanding in 2022, leading Argentina to glory in Qatar. He has since carried that form into 2026, proving that age has not diminished his influence.
Argentina boss Lionel 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.”
Messi has already broken numerous World Cup records. He holds the record for most appearances, is one of only two players to play at six World Cups, and is the only player to have won two Golden Balls. He is also one goal behind Kylian Mbappe in the race to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. Only Cafu, with three, has played in more World Cup finals.
Despite his age, there is growing speculation that Messi may not retire from international football after Sunday’s final. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes the Argentine will continue.
“Even if you hear it is the end, I doubt it,” Balague said. “I just see him with the national side, simply because he enjoys it. I feel that he hasn’t said the last word yet. He finishes games, 120-minute games, at 39. The passion is still there. All of that means he’s not going to leave the national side.”
The 2030 World Cup, which will have six host nations including Argentina, could be a powerful lure. At least one game will be played in Argentina as part of the centenary celebrations, and a world stage game in front of a home crowd may be too much for Messi to resist.
Messi himself hinted that the 2022 final would be his international swansong, saying: “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.”
That has obviously proved not to be the case. Regardless of what might be said after the 2026 final, the football world will be watching closely to see if the greatest of all time chooses to write one more chapter.
