When Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup above his head three and a half years ago, at the golden age of 35, many assumed it would be the great Argentine prodigy’s final moment on the global stage.
But Messi has never been one to follow a preordained path. His tearful departure from boyhood club Barcelona half a decade ago was proof enough of that.
These days, not only is the Argentine continuing to light up World Cup 2026 in a way few of those watching in Qatar could have predicted, now at the age of 39 – with yesterday marking his birthday – he is also refusing to close yet another door.
After ensuring he remains Argentina’s sole goalscorer of their five goals in this tournament, following up his opening-day hat-trick with a brace against Austria on Monday, the media again pressed him on his future.
Despite saying only a few days ago that he ‘absolutely’ will not play at the 2030 World Cup, perhaps another victory has softened his stance.
Asked once more whether he could make it to the 2030 tournament – set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with the opening three matches taking place in Uruguay, Paraguay and Messi’s native Argentina – he replied: ‘We’ll see what happens.’
Asked whether he could make it to the 2030 tournament – set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco – Messi replied: ‘We’ll see what happens’
The statue depicts Messi dropping to his knees at Lusail Stadium during the 2022 World Cup final after Gonzalo Montiel sealed Argentina’s 4-2 shootout win over France
In footballing terms, it’s not a yes, but it certainly isn’t a no, either.
This is not the first time Messi has been cautious about his future. After the 2022 World Cup, he admitted he had doubts about his participation in the 2024 Copa America as well as this tournament, citing concerns over his physical condition.
However, he went on to lift that title after defeating Colombia, and with his first two appearances in the United States he has already made history – surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose to become the World Cup’s all-time top scorer.
While the door remains ajar for his World Cup career to continue a little longer, he has already been immortalised back home in Argentina, where an 85-foot statue of him has been unveiled in the oil-producing town of Cutral Co in Patagonia.
The 61-year-old local sculptor, Aldo Beroisa, best known for giant dinosaurs and monuments to Argentina’s independence heroes, said the project carried special significance.
‘He is Argentina’s natural ambassador. For me, it was very important, not only as an artist but as an Argentine,’ Beroisa told The Associated Press.
The statue, which took 18 months to complete, depicts Messi dropping to his knees at Lusail Stadium during the 2022 World Cup final after Gonzalo Montiel sealed Argentina’s 4-2 shootout win over France.
During a promotional tour of India in December, a 70-foot figure of Messi was unveiled in Kolkata, but it has to have been relocated due to it swaying in the wind
It also shows him clutching Argentina’s shirt and pointing to the sky, a gesture he often makes in tribute to his late grandmother.
Messi has been recreated in statue form before. During a promotional tour of India in December, a 70-foot figure of him was unveiled in Kolkata – billed as the world’s largest footballer statue – before authorities ordered its relocation after concerns over it swaying in the wind.
This week Messi’s team-mates were in no mood to let his birthday pass quietly either, with a video circulating on social media showing members of the Argentina squad surprising Messi with presents.
Argentina have already secured their place in the knockout rounds thanks to Messi’s goals, but will look to wrap up top spot in Group J when they face Jordan on Sunday in Dallas (kick-off 3am UK).
