Argentina Hopes for a Triumphant Farewell to Messi at 2026 World Cup

Argentina holds somber memories of the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States. Icon Diego Maradona was expelled after a positive doping test, ending his World Cup career. Argentina exited in the round of 16. Now, 32 years later, the nation looks to a brighter future for Lionel Messi. Turning 39, Messi is expected to retire after the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. If Messi and Argentina retain the trophy won in Qatar four years ago, they will achieve consecutive titles, a feat unaccomplished since Brazil in 1962. Such a victory would strengthen arguments that Messi is the greatest player of all time.

Messi, known for his competitive nature, stated in a YouTube interview with journalist Joaquín “Pollo” Álvarez, “I love playing football and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore. I’m competitive, I like to win at everything, I don’t even let my kids win at video games sometimes.”

Amid preparations for what will be Messi’s record sixth World Cup, he is dealing with physical issues. He recovered from a hamstring problem that led to substitution in Inter Miami’s final match. Messi trained solo at Argentina’s base camp in Kansas City. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expressed concerns: “We all would have liked Messi to arrive without any problems, but that’s not the case. Not only him, most of the players aren’t fully recovered yet.”

Other players also face fitness challenges. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez fractured his right hand during the Europa League final. Cristian “Cuti” Romero is recovering from a knee injury. Right backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, as well as midfielder Leandro Paredes, have muscle concerns.

Argentina, champions in 1978 and 1986, starts its campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. Subsequent group matches against Austria and Jordan take place in Texas. Despite fitness issues, Scaloni has retained 17 of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup. He emphasized loyalty to the players: “Why change them if they don’t deserve that? We’ve always been honest with them. The players who are here today have shown us they want to be here. And secondly, their level hasn’t dropped.”

Having won the Copa América in 2024 and topped the South American qualifiers, Argentina looks strong. Julián Álvarez is a crucial component of the attack, with interest from Barcelona, Arsenal, and PSG for the next season. The squad features debutants like Valentín Barco, Nicolás Paz, and Juan Manuel López.

The absence of Ángel Di María, retired in 2024, is felt. Scaloni remarked, “It’s impossible to fill Di María’s shoes. He and Messi are irreplaceable.”

Messi has tried to temper expectations regarding another World Cup victory. “We have to get excited, like Argentines always do, but we also have to know that there are other favorites ahead of us who are in better form,” he shared. Messi has already set records for World Cup matches and aims to surpass Miroslav Klose’s goal record.

Though he hasn’t definitively stated he will retire, Messi hinted last September that his last home game may have passed. Reflecting on this moment, he said, “It was very emotional, knowing this was my last competitive match here.”

Scaloni also hopes Messi will continue playing. “I like to think he’s going to keep playing because otherwise you get sad,” Scaloni said, reflecting on the loss felt after Maradona’s departure from football.