It's finally happened. Lionel Messi won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina, emulating the likes of Diego Maradona and Daniel Pasarella, who captained the national team in its previous successes.
At 35, Messi shone at Qatar 2022 by scoring when his team needed him the most and providing assists that proved crucial in La Albiceleste's success. Was this his last dance with the national team?
Though the Rosario-born superstar said he wants to continue playing as a champion, he didn't look further ahead in time. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, however, did address the possibility of seeing Messi in the 2026 World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni leaves door open for Lionel Messi to play in 2026 World Cup
“Messi should have a place in the next World Cup," Scaloni said following Argentina's shootout win over France, via @AlbicelesteTalk on Twitter. "If he wants to continue playing, the '10' will always be his.”
Messi would be 39 by the time the 2026 event takes place. Will he come back for a sixth World Cup appearance? It looks like it will only depend on him, as the head coach made it clear Messi can play for as long as he wants.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Since joining Bolavip in February 2021, he has extensively covered soccer, NFL, and NBA, specializing in real-time coverage of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. Martin’s prior experience includes managing social media for the CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. At Bolavip, he is known for his meticulous coverage during critical sports seasons—covering trades, playoffs, and finals—and for keeping a close eye on soccer icons Lionel Messi at Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. His attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news have made him a valuable asset to the team.
