Messi hints at 2030 World Cup participation

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Lionel Messi is not planning on calling time on his Argentina career after the World Cup.

Indeed, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has even hinted he could play on until the next World Cup, in 2030.

Messi has been a star so far in North America. He leads the way in the Golden Boot race with five goals across his two appearances.

He is now the World Cup’s record scorer, with 18 goals, with 12 of those having come across the past two editions.

With his second goal against Austria, Lionel Messi moves onto five for the 2026 campaign pic.twitter.com/qVtF9X334p

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 23, 2026

But Messi, who turned 39 on Wednesday, is not done on the international stage just yet.

“I don’t know. The truth is, I’m not thinking about that right now,” he told reporters when asked if he could compete at the next World Cup, in which Argentina will host a match as part of FIFA’s centenary celebrations.

“It seems a bit far off but, as I said, I’m living one day at a time and focused on the present.

“I will continue for some time, as long as I can contribute, feel good physically, and help my team-mates. I will keep playing.”

Messi’s goals have propelled Argentina to two victories and to the top of Group J.

They are now the favourites to win the World Cup, according to Opta’s supercomputer, which hands them a 15.5% probability of lifting the trophy.

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