Lionel Messi has refused to commit to continuing his international career with Argentina after leading his country to a painful World Cup runners-up finish at the age of 39, leaving open the possibility that he may have played his final major tournament for the national team.
The Argentina captain delivered a standout World Cup, scoring eight goals and driving the “Albiceleste” to the brink of another global title, yet he has not confirmed whether he will extend his career with the national side.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, “all scenarios remain open” regarding Messi’s future with Argentina in the coming months and years, as the Inter Miami forward has given no clear indication whether he plans to carry on at international level.
Argentina plan for Messi to stay – but no decision yet
Marca reports that the Argentine football authorities are working on the basis that Messi will continue to wear the national team shirt for the foreseeable future, even though “nothing has been decided in one direction or the other”.
The next major target for Argentina would be the 2028 Copa America, expected to be held in the United States – a tournament that neatly coincides with the remaining two years on Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami.
At 39, many observers assumed that Messi might step away from international football after this World Cup. However, the manner of Argentina’s defeat and the “bitter feeling” of finishing second could influence his thinking – or might not, the report suggests.
Marca adds that Messi had already been contemplating the idea of continuing with Argentina even before the tournament, meaning the coming days and months will be crucial in shaping one of two definitive outcomes: one last major cycle with the national team, or a gradual farewell.
‘Year by year’ approach as age becomes key factor
Messi has repeatedly stressed one clear principle about his future: he is taking things “year by year” in line with how his body responds to the demands of top-level football.
He appeared in strong physical condition during the World Cup, underlining that he remains capable of influencing matches at the highest level. Yet, the report notes that nobody – “perhaps not even Messi himself” – can say with certainty what his physical and mental state will be like a year from now.
With two years until the 2028 Copa America, Argentina face a delicate balancing act between planning a team for the long term and leaving the door open for their greatest ever player to decide on his own terms.
Six friendlies and ‘different’ World Cup qualifiers ahead
Before any decision over Copa America participation is needed, Argentina will embark on a schedule of six friendly matches in September, October and November under head coach Lionel Scaloni, who remains in charge of the national side.
After that, attention will turn to the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign – though, in a twist without precedent for the three-time world champions, those qualifiers will be “different” from previous editions.
Argentina have already secured their spot at the 2030 tournament, alongside Paraguay and Uruguay, who will serve as symbolic co-hosts of the centenary World Cup. As a result, Argentina will not be under pressure to collect points in the traditional way, changing the competitive context of the South American qualifiers.
New competition on the horizon – with or without Messi?
In light of the unusual qualification scenario, South American confederation CONMEBOL is understood to be considering the creation of a new tournament – similar in concept to the UEFA Nations League – to provide Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay with stronger incentives and more meaningful fixtures.
Such a competition would add another layer to the uncertainty around Messi’s future. The central question, Marca concludes, will be whether the Argentina captain chooses to take part in this new challenge – or whether his long and glittering international journey will have concluded with that agonising World Cup near-miss.
