Lionel Messi completed his football destiny in Qatar 2022. At 38 years old in 2026, the question on every fan's lips is: will he write one final chapter on the world stage?
The Greatest Ever
Lionel Andrés Messi is widely regarded as the greatest football player of all time. His 2022 World Cup performance — scoring 7 goals and 3 assists to lead Argentina to their first title in 36 years — removed the last asterisk from his legacy.
He won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player and scored in the final, including a penalty in the dramatic shootout. It was, by any measure, the greatest individual World Cup performance in the tournament's modern era.
His World Cup Record
| Year | Host | Result | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Germany | Quarter-final | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | South Africa | Quarter-final | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | Brazil | Runner-up | 4 | 1 |
| 2018 | Russia | Round of 16 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | Qatar | 🏆 CHAMPION | 7 | 3 |
Will He Play in 2026?
Messi has not officially confirmed whether he will participate in the 2026 World Cup. Playing for Inter Miami in MLS, he remains active and competitive, but the physical demands of a World Cup at 38 are enormous.
Several factors work in his favor: Argentina will qualify automatically as defending champions, giving Messi a lighter schedule during qualifying. And the tournament is hosted in North America — the same continent where Messi plays his club football, minimizing travel fatigue.
What Would It Mean?
If Messi plays — and Argentina defends their title — it would be the most extraordinary ending to any athlete's international career in the history of sport. A back-to-back World Cup champion at nearly 40 years old.
Even if Argentina doesn't win, simply seeing Messi on the world stage one final time would be a gift for football fans everywhere.
Follow this blog for the latest updates on Messi's 2026 World Cup participation as the tournament approaches. ⚽