We can all agree that the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, will mark a momentum chapter in the history of football. Besides being the first event of its kind in terms of teams, it will feature the greatest players ever. Needless to say, Lionel Messi is one of them.
At 38 years of age, Messi has already achieved everything in football, including lifting the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Considering his age and everything else, most fans believe that the 2026 World Cup will be his last big international event. But is this really going to be the case? The Efirbet.com team and I decided to dive deep and explore some potential steps Messi could take.
Messi’s Legacy
Messi is undoubtedly one of the living football legends. In fact, a fairly large percentage of football fans in Nigeria and other countries believe he is the greatest of all time, and for good reason.
Lionel Messi’s career has spanned two decades. His humble beginnings at FC Barcelona quickly made him a global superstar and he won countless tournaments with the Spanish powerhouse.
When it comes to the international stage, Messi has helped Argentina achieve its biggest dream – lifting the World Cup again. He and his team achieved “immortality” in 2022 as Argentina defeated France in the Final.
Messi’s achievements are nothing short of impressive. Aside from the World Cup trophy, the player also has seven Ballon d’Ors (the most in history), four Champions League titles and ten La Liga trophies.
All of these achievements are truly impressive, but even world-class players like him can’t “fight” against the ticking clock. The player is in his late 30s, and there is a good chance the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be his final dance.
Messi is aging like a fine wine, but is the Motivation There?
Considering that Lionel Messi is 38 years old, it’s no surprise that he is no longer the swift forward that he once was. Despite that, he continues to be a powerhouse even today and it’s because of his incredible ability to adapt. We saw that when he moved to PSG, and we can see it now when he plays in the MLS.
The transition from one of Europe’s toughest competitions to the MLS definitely helped Messi preserve his strength. At the same time, this also allowed him to perform at an elite level, which keeps him in shape.
When it comes to motivation, however, things are different. To be honest, Messi has never shown any signs of slowing down, but people are asking themselves where he still has the drive in him. Considering that Argentina won the last World Cup, it’s definitely a valid question.
Messi’s Role at Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026
Despite his age and (questionable) motivation, there is absolutely no arguing that Messi is Argentina’s leader. Coming in as the reigning champion, the country is riding on a wave of momentum that will definitely help Messi and co. when playing. The team is full of young stars like Enzo Fernandes and Lautaro Martinez, and they will look up to their role model.
I firmly believe that Messi will be Argentina’s biggest star in the upcoming tournament. He has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to mentor younger players. That’s why I expect Lionel Scaloni (Argentina’s coach) to structure the entire team around him. This will allow Messi to show everything he is capable of, potentially carry his team to success.
The Challenges – Physical Toll and Rivalries
Let’s face it, the FIFA World Cup is one of the most physically demanding challenges for every footballer. The 2026 edition is even more demanding than usual because of the new format. The fact that there will be 48 teams means that there is an expanded schedule and a longer period of play. It goes without saying that this can impact some aging players, including Messi.
It gets really interesting when it comes to Messi’s rivals. Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, is older than Messi and he is definitely more motivated than Messi to win this World Cup because he has not done it before. Kylian Mbappe, on the other hand, is much younger than Messi, and he has proven himself during the last World Cup. When you also add the rise of young stars like Joao Felix and Erling Haaland, the competition is fierce.
What’s Next for Messi After the World Cup in 2026?
Assuming that Messi leads Argentina to another World Cup trophy, he will cement his role as the greatest player of all time. This would be unparalleled in the sport’s history, but the truth is that it will be challenging.
Regardless of what happens, there is a good chance that Messi will retire after the end of the competition. At 38 years of age, he can technically keep playing and take part in the next World Cup (Ronaldo is 41 and he will be playing in this one), but it’s unlikely to happen.
Assuming that Messi decides to retire, the FIFA World Cup in 2026 will be a bittersweet conclusion to his international career. When it comes to club football, we expect to keep seeing Messi in action for at least a few more years. Once he decides that enough is enough, he could transition into a coaching position or do something completely different.
