As Argentina prepares to face England in the semifinal of the 2026 World Cup, speculation continues around the future of its captain, Lionel Messi. The 39-year-old striker, currently in his sixth World Cup appearance, has stated his intention to keep playing as long as he feels physically capable and can make a meaningful contribution to his team.
Messi has been a pivotal figure in Argentina's campaign thus far in the 2026 tournament, scoring eight goals, a total tied for the most in the competition. He has found the net in five of the team's six matches, including a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria. Across his six World Cup appearances, Messi has accumulated 21 goals and eight assists.
Beyond his international commitments, Messi has spent the last four seasons with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. The club, with whom he won the 2025 MLS championship, has seen him average 24.5 goals and 13.5 assists per season from 2024-25. This current MLS season was temporarily paused to accommodate the World Cup, during which Messi has recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 14 games.
Messi's longevity in the sport is notable, with his six World Cup appearances matching those of Cristiano Ronaldo. He previously indicated in June that he would continue playing until he "can’t anymore" and expressed a desire to participate in the 2030 World Cup if he remains in good physical condition and can assist his teammates.