Lionel Messi’s swan song headlines World Cup affairs

Lionel Messi is a player who needs no introduction. The Argentina international is a true icon and widely regarded as the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. His dazzling skills were honed at Barcelona where he won all the major honors on offer before moving to PSG and Inter Miami.

Messi has racked up 48 trophies across the globe, including eight Ballon d’Ors, rewritten the history books many times over and finally completed football in 2022 when he lifted the biggest prize of all by winning the World Cup in Qatar.

Now in the twilight of his trophy-laden career, Messi will celebrate his 39^th birthday during the World Cup. This summer’s tournament offers soccer fans across the globe the last chance to witness Messi in action at a World Cup and comes three years after he left Europe for the United States and MLS.

Messi may be heading towards the end of his career, but he still continues to dazzle whenever he laces his boots. The walks may be longer and the sprints shorter these days, yet Messi remains influential. He still dances past defenders, delivers goals and assists for fun and dazzles supporters with his other-worldly skill.

This World Cup will be Messi’s sixth for Argentina as Lionel Scaloni’s side looks to defend their trophy. Messi holds the record for the most appearances in World Cup matches with 26 and is Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer in World Cups with 13 goals, two of those coming in the dramatic 2022 final as Argentina beat France on penalties.

That fairytale finish made up for the previous heartbreak. Messi won the Golden Ball in 2014 for the best player of the tournament but was part of an Argentina side beaten by Germany in the final. He even retired from international football two years later after losing to Chile in the Copa America as Argentina incredibly slumped to a fourth major final loss in nine years. Messi did go on to reverse the decision, going on to win the Copa America in 2021 and 2024 before finally getting his hands on the World Cup.

Reigning champions Argentina are among the favorites ahead of the start of the World Cup with Messi dreaming of back-to-back titles. History shows that’s not an easy task, with Italy and Brazil the only two nations to have ever retained a World Cup.

It would be rash to write off a side that Messi will captain and contains star names such as Julián Alvarez, Enzo Fernández, Lautaro Martínez and Alexis Mac Allister. Lionel Scaloni’s side cruised through qualifying, topping the CONMEBOL standings and finishing nine points clear of nearest challengers Ecuador.

Messi netted eight goals in qualifying to finish top of the standings ahead of Colombia’s Luis Díaz and scoring twice as many as teammates Alvarez and Martínez. Few would bet against the Argentina superstar continuing that kind of form this summer and finishing off his World Cup story on yet another high.

Argentina’s talisman may no longer be at the very height of his powers, but he still operates on a plane many players can only dream of. His sheer presence on the pitch will instill fear in many opponents.

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