Despite having the opportunity to take a break after winning the World Cup, Messi continues his football journey and is now on the verge of setting new records.
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Lionel Messi had a great opportunity to retire from international football after winning the 2022 World Cup. But he didn't stop there. Now he has the opportunity to become the first player to play in six World Cups. Messi is now on the verge of a historic opportunity to win 200 caps for Argentina. Indeed, four years ago, Messi had said that the Qatar World Cup would be his last.
His performance in Qatar was amazing. He scored seven goals. Two of them were in the final against France. 'At that moment, I could have ended my playing career, I didn't want anything more,' Messi later said. The forward will soon be 39 years old. He is greedy, he wants to play a little more as a world champion. Without saying that, he continues to play. He is feeling happy playing.
He could not leave world football and coach Lionel Scolani kept him in the 26-man squad. Messi is still a key player for three-time World Cup champions Argentina. Argentina itself is also aiming to win the World Cup twice in a row since 1962. After last week's 3-0 friendly win over Iceland, Messi said, 'I am enjoying playing football. I am happy and very enthusiastic.'
The former Barcelona star initially doubted that he would play in the current World Cup. He says, 'I was skeptical because I said in the last World Cup that I would not play anymore. I thought I would not be able to play anymore because of my age. But the more football I played, the more I started to enjoy it. I feel more comfortable playing football.'
Messi is certainly not the player he once was. In 2023, he left Europe. After two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), he moved to America. He played in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami. That meant he got some rest. He no longer had to play football at the same high level.
He remained in the same rhythm in America. Messi has scored 13 goals in 16 games in 2026. His performance helped Miami win the MLS Cup. Messi had fitness problems in the 6-4 win over Philadelphia last month. He was also substituted. But he did manage to score a goal from the penalty spot in a 20-minute 'cameo' against Iceland.
Messi has won the Ballon d'Or eight times. In addition to the last World Cup, he also won the Copa America. He was the captain when Argentina won the biggest tournament in South American football in 2024. And where is that? He was the top scorer in the South American World Cup qualifiers. 'I love playing football. I will keep playing as long as I can.'
Messi played for the first time in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He captained Argentina to the final in 2014. At that time, Argentina lost to Germany in extra time in the title race. Messi, who has scored the most goals for Argentina, is also the third player to win 200 caps for his country, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kuwait's Badr Al Mutawa.
Messi will achieve this feat in the match against Algeria on Tuesday. Messi's biggest personal rival Ronaldo is also playing in his sixth World Cup. Messi's friend Julian Alvarez says, 'Now it is certain, this will be Messi's last World Cup. The final decision on this will be his. Everyone knows, he is the greatest player of all time in football.'
