If Messi carries on with Argentina through 2030, he would be 43 at the next World Cup—potentially becoming the oldest outfield player to feature at the tournament, unless Cristiano Ronaldo also continues with Portugal.
He could also take part in one of the centenary fixtures scheduled to be played in Argentina at the start of that World Cup.
Spanish football analyst Guillem Balague doubts this will be Messi’s last World Cup appearance. He believes Messi still savors playing for the national team and doesn’t see him winding down at Inter Miami and simply calling time on his international career.
Messi’s 2026 World Cup has been outstanding: eight goals in seven matches—two behind top scorer Mbappe—propelling Argentina to the final with a run of brilliant displays.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni hailed him as the greatest ever, calling him a legend and urging everyone to enjoy him while he’s still playing. He added that he doesn’t know whether the next match will be Messi’s last, as they haven’t discussed it.
Messi’s late-career World Cup surge is remarkable: 15 of his 21 tournament goals have come since he turned 35.
After lifting the trophy in 2022, he found the drive to return in 2026. The big question is whether that desire will carry on to 2030.
Balague argues Messi hasn’t had his final say. He notes Messi is still completing 120-minute matches at 39; against Cape Verde he covered 6.5km, with 62% of it at a walking pace—evidence he can manage games smartly and that the passion remains. In Balague’s view, that points to him staying with the national team.
There’s also the pull of a home crowd. The 2030 World Cup will span six host nations. Most matches will be in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, but Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay will each stage at least one game. The chance to play a World Cup match on Argentine soil may be hard for Messi to turn down.
Before the 2022 final, Messi hinted it might be his last World Cup, saying he was happy to end his journey by playing in a final and doubted he could carry on to the next edition.
That, clearly, didn’t come to pass. So whatever is said after the 2026 final, 2030 remains a storyline to watch.