Lionel Scaloni, head coach of Argentina national football team, has suggested that the 2026 FIFA World Cup may mark Lionel Messi’s final appearance on the global stage.
He made the remark during a press conference ahead of Argentina’s international friendly against Zambia national football team.
Messi, now 38, has yet to officially confirm whether he will participate in the tournament, although he played a significant role in helping Argentina qualify.
Scaloni noted that his main priority is to ensure Messi is available and able to fully enjoy what could be his last World Cup experience.
“The important thing is that he comes and enjoys being at a World Cup – which, theoretically, will be his last,” Scaloni said.
“We want him to enjoy it, because later on, you really miss playing in events like these.”
He also mentioned that most of the team’s regular players are expected to feature, describing the upcoming fixtures as an opportunity to assess the squad before making any adjustments.
“Later, we’ll make some changes to take a look at some of the younger players, but the idea is to field our most familiar lineup,” he said.