Lionel Messi's 2026 World Cup Dreams: Will the Legend Return for One Final Dance?
When Argentina last participated in a World Cup without Lionel Messi, Mauricio Pochettino was playing as a defender while Diego Simeone controlled the midfield. England's David Seaman managed to keep a clean sheet as the South American powerhouse was eliminated during the group phase.
To put it simply, that was an incredibly long time ago.
Argentina could find themselves returning to this dark period without Messi when the 2026 World Cup arrives. The country's superstar will be celebrating his 39th birthday during the tournament and has consistently voiced uncertainty about his participation.
Nevertheless, Messi continues to be a formidable player despite advancing age. Following his time preparing for the competition with Inter Miami, there's growing optimism that the world-renowned player might stay active long enough to feature in the World Cup hosted across North America. But is this optimism justified?
What Has Lionel Messi Said About the 2026 World Cup?
Messi rarely gives interviews, and his limited comments about his international career future shouldn't always be interpreted literally. The Argentine captain announced his retirement from international duty in both 2016 and 2018, yet was eventually convinced to return to the iconic blue and white jersey.
Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi stated the tournament would be "definitely my final World Cup, yes."
His position has become more flexible in recent years, with Messi staying deliberately ambiguous while keeping possibilities open. "Honestly, when you think about it, it seems far away but simultaneously it will arrive quickly, right?" the Argentine reflected in April 2025.
"This year will be crucial for me, being able to maintain consistent playing time and feeling physically strong. Last season I joined preseason training and began several matches, then missed some games due to injuries or not being at full capacity. This preseason has gone well, I've had a strong start and I'm feeling good."
Messi's primary message emphasizes taking things slowly. "I consider it and wait to see what happens, but I don't want to establish that objective either," he cautioned. "I'll approach it one day at a time and assess how I feel physically most importantly, while being truthful with myself as well."
What Has Lionel Scaloni Said About Messi in the 2026 World Cup?
Scaloni has previously convinced Messi to reverse his international retirement decision. Taking over the squad—originally as an interim appointment—following the disappointing 2018 World Cup, Scaloni laid the groundwork for Messi's comeback. During six friendly matches without the number 10, Argentina achieved five shutouts and four victories, developing a younger foundation that encouraged Messi's return in 2019.
Following Messi's 2016 retirement, Scaloni wasn't involved with the national team setup, so he used social media to appeal: "Don't leave, Lio."
After the 2022 championship match, an emotional Scaloni declared: "Messi deserves a spot in the upcoming World Cup. If he chooses to keep playing, the number 10 jersey will forever belong to him."
As inquiries about Messi's future persist, Scaloni's tolerance for the subject has diminished. "We'll observe what develops, there's sufficient time," the Argentina manager told reporters in March 2025. "We should focus on each match individually, otherwise we'll be discussing the same topic for the entire year and we need to give him space, we'll see. He'll make his decision when he's ready, let's not overwhelm him with this."
While Scaloni remains in charge, Messi will have a place in Argentina's World Cup roster.
Oldest Outfield Players in Men's World Cup History
Player | Nation (Year) | Age |
|---|---|---|
1. Roger Milla | Cameroon (1994) | 42 years and 39 days |
2. Atiba Hutchinson | Canada (2022) | 39 years and 296 days |
3. Pepe | Portugal (2022) | 39 years and 287 days |
4. Ángel Labruna | Argentina (1958) | 39 years and 260 days |
5. Dani Alves | Brazil (2022) | 39 years and 213 days |
6. Stanley Matthews | England (1954) | 39 years and 145 days |
7. Rafael Márquez | Mexico (2018) | 39 years and 139 days |
8. Lionel Messi* | Argentina (2026) | 39 years and 25 days |
*Lionel Messi age on day of the 2026 World Cup final
Messi currently holds the record for most World Cup appearances by any male player, having competed in his 26th match during the triumphant final against France. Yet, should Messi return for the 2026 finale, he wouldn't be venturing into unexplored territory.
The championship match in the United States is planned for one month following Lionel Messi's 39th birthday. Seven field players have competed in the tournament at an older age—Roger Milla even scored for Cameroon at 42 years of age in 1994 (though many suspect Milla might have been even older).
As Milla demonstrated, this beautiful sport isn't governed by your birth date. As Messi's fellow Argentine Diego Simeone once observed: "Football knows no age. Age is decided by the mind and the legs."