Lionel Scaloni, head coach of Argentina’s national team, admitted he has no clear answer on whether Lionel Messi’s upcoming World Cup match on Sunday will be his last on football’s biggest stage.
Speaking to reporters, Scaloni’s honesty cut through the swirling rumors that often surround the legendary forward’s career. Despite being the man who chooses the squad, Scaloni revealed he simply doesn’t know if Messi plans to retire from World Cup play after this tournament.
Uncertainty Surrounds Messi’s Next Steps
Messi, now in his late 30s, lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats. The next World Cup, scheduled for 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will see Messi turn 38 an age when most players have long stepped away from international competition.
Scaloni’s reluctance to speculate is unusual, as coaches typically have discussions with veteran players about their futures. This leaves open the possibility that Messi himself has yet to decide whether to extend his international career or that Scaloni is keeping the player’s plans private.
Messi has consistently emphasized a tournament-by-tournament approach to his international career, declining to announce any grand farewell or retirement timeline. As a result, every touch he makes in Sunday’s match could carry extra significance for fans and teammates alike.
