Lionel Messi will lead Argentina to his sixth and final World Cup this summer, cementing his legacy as football’s most decorated player and the only man to compete in six different tournaments spanning two decades. With the 2026 edition kicking off on June 11—just 13 days before his 39th birthday—Messi’s participation now appears all but confirmed, despite his earlier reluctance to commit. Argentina’s preliminary squad, announced on May 11, includes 55 players, with Messi’s inclusion signaling a potential swan song that could see him chase Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goal record and become the second-oldest champion in history.
Why Messi’s Decision to Play Matters
Messi’s path to this moment has been anything but straightforward. After lifting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he told reporters, “Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more.” Yet six months later, he departed Paris Saint-Germain for Major League Soccer, where he has since thrived with Inter Miami—winning the MLS Cup in 2024 and becoming Argentina’s top scorer in World Cup qualifying. His recent statement, “I love playing football, and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore,” underscores a career defined by defiance of age and expectation. For Argentina, his presence is non-negotiable; coach Lionel Scaloni has insisted, “I will do everything to make sure he is there.” With Messi just two games shy of 200 caps, his final World Cup could also see him surpass Klose’s record of 16 tournament goals.
What makes this decision historic isn’t just the longevity—it’s the context. Messi’s first World Cup came in 2006, when he was 18 and scored against Serbia and Montenegro in a 6-0 rout. Now, 20 years later, he returns as the undisputed face of Argentina, a team that has dominated regional football since his 2021 and 2024 Copa América triumphs. His absence would leave a void; his presence ensures Argentina remains the tournament’s favorite, as midfielder Gavi recently put it: “Argentina is the biggest favorite for the World Cup because they are the current champions.”
The Squad’s Depth—and Key Absences
Argentina’s preliminary squad of 55 players reflects Scaloni’s emphasis on balance and experience. Familiar faces dominate, including Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono, and six Atlético Madrid players—among them Julián Álvarez, a rising star who has already scored 10 goals in World Cup qualifying. The list also includes Nico Paz, a reported summer transfer target for Madrid, and Kevin Mac Allister, brother of Liverpool’s Alexis. Notably absent are Ángel Di María, who retired from international football, and Paulo Dybala, sidelined by injuries this season.
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The squad’s composition raises questions about Scaloni’s strategy. While Messi’s inclusion is a statement of intent, the absence of Di María—once Argentina’s creative linchpin—highlights the challenges of maintaining peak performance at this level. Dybala’s injury struggles with Roma add another layer of uncertainty. Yet the depth in midfield and defense suggests Argentina’s core remains intact. The real test will come in the group stage, where they face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan—three teams with modest World Cup pedigrees but capable of causing upsets.
Ronaldo’s Shadow: Portugal’s Quiet Ambition
While Messi’s story dominates headlines, Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation in his sixth World Cup—at 41—adds another layer to the tournament’s generational clash. Unlike Messi, Ronaldo’s international career has been defined by peaks and valleys. His Euro 2016 triumph with Portugal was a redemption after a 2004 final loss, but his World Cup journey has been less consistent. Portugal’s only knockout-stage win since 2006 came in the 2022 round of 16, where Ronaldo was benched in favor of younger strikers. Under Roberto Martínez, however, Ronaldo has regained his place as first-choice striker, though his recent struggles at Euro 2024—where Portugal lost in the last eight—raise questions about his fitness and form.
Portugal’s path to the 2026 World Cup is less certain than Argentina’s. Their preliminary squad, not yet announced, will likely include a mix of veterans and young talent, but without Ronaldo’s clinical finishing, their attack may lack its signature firepower. The contrast with Messi’s Argentina is stark: one team enters as the defending champion with a clear identity, while the other must navigate the uncertainties of a player who has redefined aging in football but whose recent form has been inconsistent.
The Stakes: Records, Legacies, and the Future of Football
Messi’s potential swan song isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about the future of football. His decision to play in 2026, when he turns 39, could redefine what it means to be a veteran in modern soccer. Already, he has broken records for longevity, caps, and goals, but a sixth World Cup would cement his place alongside legends like Pelé and Maradona as the game’s ultimate ambassador. For Argentina, the stakes are equally high: a repeat as world champions would solidify Messi’s status as the player who carried his nation to its zenith.
The tournament itself is poised to be a spectacle, with 48 teams competing across three host nations—the first time the World Cup has expanded beyond 32 participants. For Messi, the pressure is immense, but so is the opportunity. His final World Cup could be his most significant yet, not just for the trophies but for the message it sends to a generation of athletes about perseverance and purpose. As he prepares to face Algeria on June 11, the question isn’t whether he’ll play—it’s how he’ll leave the game.
What Happens Next: The Road to June 11
The next 13 days will be critical. Argentina’s final squad of 26 must be named by June 3, leaving Scaloni with tough decisions about depth and rotation. Injuries, fitness, and tactical adjustments will dictate the team’s shape, but one thing is certain: Messi will be at the heart of it. His influence extends beyond the pitch—his presence alone elevates Argentina’s status as favorites, a dynamic that could intimidate opponents before a ball is kicked.
For Portugal, the focus will shift to Ronaldo’s form and Martínez’s ability to balance experience with youth. If Ronaldo can replicate his 2022 peak, Portugal could emerge as dark horses, but their path is fraught with uncertainty. Meanwhile, the broader tournament sets the stage for a new era of football, where the boundaries of age and achievement are being redrawn in real time.
The 2026 World Cup isn’t just a tournament—it’s a farewell. For Messi, it’s the culmination of a career that has redefined what’s possible. For football, it’s a moment to reflect on how far the game has come, and how much further it can go.
