Lionel Messi and Argentina fell at the 2026 World Cup final. After Spain defeated Argentina to crown themselves in East Rutherford, fans across the globe wonder: was this Messi’s last game with his national team?
For the time being, Messi has yet to make any final decision about his future. He’s heard the buzz and speculation surrounding his future with Argentina, but he is taking things slow. All signs indicate Messi won’t retire from the national team yet.
Argentine reporter Gaston Edul from TyC Sports stated that the 2026 World Cup final wouldn’t be Messi’s last game at the international level. According to Edul, Messi will play for Argentina, at least, through 2026. Moreover, Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs through the 2028 MLS season, indicating his club career has more chapters left.
Messi shattered several World Cup records in 2026, and was one of, if not the best player in the tournament. Based on his recent performances and his statements, there’s little reason to believe this was his last game with La Albiceleste. Whether it was his last FIFA World Cup game? That’s a different question.
Lionel Messi after winning 2022 World Cup.
Will Lionel Messi play in 2030 World Cup?
With Messi, until he makes an official announcement, every possibility must remain on the table. However, the odds of Messi being back with Argentina at the 2030 World Cup—provided Argentina qualify—are pretty low.
Messi himself made that clear during the 2026 World Cup. “A seventh World Cup appearance? No, that I can say no to,“ Messi told reporters after Argentina’s debut against Algeria, in which he scored a hat trick.
Perhaps, he will be back for redemption in 2030 as the 2026 World Cup ended in a crushing defeat to Spain in the gold-medal game. Messi has nothing left to prove, but he still manages to defy the odds and Father Time on a daily basis. Maybe, he has one bullet left in the chamber, and this loss only fuels him.
How old will Messi be at 2030 World Cup?
Messi will be 42 years old at the start of the 2030 World Cup, and will turn 43 midway through the tournament (Messi’s birthday is June 24). All things considered, it feels very unlikely he will be with Argentina at the 2030 World Cup. However, it was also unexpected that he’d play in 2026, yet he did and was the tournament’s leading goalscorer for as long as Argentina remained alive.
Messi’s numbers in World Cups
The head-to-head World Cup record between Spain and Argentina is now tied, as La Roja defeated La Albiceleste in the final. If this turns out to be Messi’s last game ever at the tournament, he can walk away with no complaints. He shattered virtually every record in soccer’s biggest tournament. All the records Messi broke at the 2026 World Cup underscore his performance.
Messi played 34 World Cup games, scoring 21 goals, and assisting another 12. No player has appeared in more games, has won more, nor has assisted more goals. Only Kylian Mbappe, who broke records at the 2026 World Cup, as well, has scored more (22).
Lionel Messi celebrating with teammates.
As for his win-tie-loss record in World Cups, Messi and Argentina won 23 games, tied five, and lost six. From those five ties, four of them were in knockout stage games leading to penalty shootouts, in which Argentina lost only one (against Germany in 2006 World Cup).
SurveyWill Messi play at the 2030 World Cup?
Will Messi play at the 2030 World Cup?
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