Should Messi choose to continue with Argentina through 2030, he would set a record as the oldest outfield competitor at a World Cup, aged 43 – provided, naturally, that Cristiano Ronaldo does not decide to prolong his Portugal career.
In addition to potentially extending his record collection, Messi would have an opportunity to feature in a centennial fixture staged in Argentina during the opening phase of the subsequent World Cup.
Spanish football analyst Guillem Balague believes that Messi’s World Cup story is not yet finished.
“Even if it is announced as his finale, I have my doubts, but time will tell. I picture him staying with the national team, purely because he loves it,” he remarked.
“I can’t imagine him still playing well at Inter Miami in MLS, then deciding that’s enough and settling for the remainder of his career solely with that club.”
Messi’s 2026 World Cup campaign has been simply extraordinary. He has found the net eight times in seven matches – trailing the tournament’s leading scorer Mbappe by two – and has propelled Argentina to the final through a string of masterful displays.
Argentina manager Scaloni praised Messi as the finest player in history, stating: “He embodies history, a true legend. I am proud; he is the greatest footballer the world has witnessed, and reaching a final at 39 is extraordinary – that’s why I insist we should savor every moment with him.
“While we still mourn Diego Maradona, Messi remains among us, so we must cherish him.
“I don’t know whether this will be Leo’s final match; you would need to ask him. We haven’t spoken about it.”
His performances in North America extend a truly remarkable late-career revival at World Cups. Fifteen of his 21 goals in the competition have arrived after he turned 35.
After already hoisting the trophy in Qatar in 2022, Messi demonstrated he still possessed the drive to push on in 2026. The lingering question is whether that determination will stretch to 2030.
“I sense that he hasn’t had his final say yet,” Balague commented. “He completes matches, even 120-minute contests, at age 39.
“During the opening 90 minutes against Cape Verde, he covered 6.5 kilometers, with 62 percent of that movement being walking.
“You can incorporate even more walking. The passion remains. All of this suggests he won’t depart from the national team.”
There is also the element of Messi participating in a World Cup before a home audience.
The 2030 tournament will feature six co-hosts. Although most fixtures will occur in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, at least one contest will be held in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay respectively. A match on the global stage in front of Argentine supporters could prove irresistible to Messi.
Messi himself had suggested that the 2022 final would mark his farewell to international football.
“I’m delighted to conclude my World Cup journey in a final, to play my last match in the championship game. That is truly rewarding,” he stated ahead of the 2022 final.
“There are many years between now and the next edition. I don’t believe I’ll be able to do that. Finishing in this manner is brilliant.”
Clearly, that turned out not to be true. So no matter what is declared after the 2026 final, keep watching for 2030.
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