Argentina are one win away from becoming only the third nation in history to lift successive World Cup trophies, following Italy and Brazil’s historic back-to-back triumphs.
Lionel Scaloni’s side face European champions Spain on Sunday, with the legendary Lionel Messi expected to be central to their hopes of glory.
Victory would see Messi become the first captain ever to lift the World Cup trophy on two separate occasions, cementing a legacy that already defies reasonable comparison.
Messi has been in extraordinary form throughout the 2026 tournament, scoring eight goals in seven games and registering 12 assists across his entire World Cup career.
His two assists in the semi-final comeback win over England mean no other player on record holds more than eight World Cup assists in total, a statistic that underlines his unique contribution.
Argentina boss Scaloni has been effusive in his praise, saying: “He is history, a legend. I feel proud, he is the best footballer the world has ever seen and reaching a final at 39 is something unbelievable – and that is why I said we must enjoy him.”
Scaloni added: “With Diego Maradona, we still miss him but Messi is still with us so we must enjoy him. I have no idea if this is Leo’s last game, you will have to ask him. We haven’t discussed it.”
The question now dominating football conversation is whether Sunday’s final will be Messi’s farewell appearance in Argentina’s famous blue and white stripes.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes fans should not rush to write off any prospect of seeing Messi at the 2030 World Cup, despite the player’s age.
Balague said: “Even if you hear it is the end, I doubt it but we’ll see. I just see him with the national side, simply because he enjoys it.”
He added: “I don’t see him being at Inter Miami in the MLS, still performing and then saying that’s it and he’s going to play out the rest of his career with Inter Miami.”
Balague pointed to Messi’s physical data as evidence that his body is still capable of competing at the highest level.
“In the first 90 minutes against Cape Verde, he covered 6.5km and 62% of that is walking,” said Balague, suggesting Messi’s intelligent movement is prolonging his career effectively.
“I feel that he hasn’t said the last word yet,” Balague continued. “He finishes games, 120-minute games, at 39. The passion is still there. All of that means he’s not going to leave the national side.”
Should Messi continue through to 2030, he would become the oldest outfield player to appear at a World Cup, at the age of 43, unless Cristiano Ronaldo opts to continue with Portugal.
The 2030 tournament offers an additional incentive, with at least one match scheduled to be played in Argentina as part of the centenary celebrations across six host nations.
Messi himself previously hinted that 2022 would be his international farewell, saying: “I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying.”
He had also stated: “There are a lot of years from this year to the next one. I don’t think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant.”
Those words ultimately proved premature, and the football world will be watching closely for any post-final clues about whether 2026 truly marks the end of his international story.
Fifteen of Messi’s 21 World Cup goals have come since his 35th birthday, a remarkable statistic that speaks to a late-career resurgence few could have predicted.
