Messi has no plans to end his career with the Argentine national team
Lionel Messi has no plans to retire from international soccer after the 2026 World Cup final. Despite being 39 years old, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner intends to remain on the Argentine national team until 2028 to end his career on a high note.
After the 2026 World Cup final, many speculated that this match would be Messi’s last in an Albiceleste jersey.
However, journalist Fran Casaretto has refuted reports that the player allegedly informed his teammates of his retirement from the national team during halftime of the final match against Spain.
According to sources close to the Argentine, Messi does not want a decisive defeat by the Spanish national team to be his “final dance.”
The soccer player believes he is physically capable of competing at the highest level until he is 41.
That is why he plans to remain on the national team until the 2028 Copa América. Although the host of the tournament has not yet been officially determined, the United States is among the leading contenders.
For Messi, this option seems symbolic, as he currently plays for Inter Miami and could bid farewell to the national team in the very city that has become his new soccer home.
Over the years playing for the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi has set virtually all of the team’s major records.
His record includes:
- 207 matches—an all-time national team record;
- 125 goals scored—the team’s all-time leading scorer;
- 65 assists—the record for most assists;
- the most goals scored in a calendar year—18;
- the record for the most hat tricks;
- most goals scored from set pieces;
- the oldest player to score a goal in the history of the Argentine national team.
With the “Albiceleste,” Messi won the Copa América twice (in 2021 and 2024) and led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, winning world soccer’s top trophy.
This is according to Argentine insiders.
After Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, Lionel Messi did not return to Argentina with the team.
As a reminder, Spain won the 2026 World Cup by defeating Argentina.
The U.S. intercepted more than 700 drones near sports venues during the World Cup.
