Argentina Football Association president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia has stated that Lionel Messi will determine his own retirement timeline from international football. This comes after Messi's impressive performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where he scored eight goals and provided four assists, leading Argentina to the final.

Messi's Continued Excellence

Messi, who celebrated his 39th birthday on June 24, showed no signs of slowing down during the tournament. He scored a brace against Austria in a group stage match and played a pivotal role in Argentina's journey to the final, where they ultimately fell to Spain 1-0 in extra time. Tapia emphasized the importance of allowing Messi to enjoy his football, noting that the decision regarding his retirement should be made solely by the player himself.

Looking Ahead

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Messi's future, Tapia expressed pride in Messi's contributions, stating, “It was a great World Cup from Leo. We enjoyed it a lot, and we’ve got to feel proud.” He highlighted Messi's record-breaking performances, including surpassing Miroslav Klose’s career scoring record of 16 goals, although Kylian Mbappe ultimately finished the tournament with 22 goals.

As Messi contemplates his future, he could potentially be 43 years old during the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The oldest player to participate in a World Cup match, non-goalkeeper Roger Milla, was 42 years and 39 days old. Another legendary player, Cristiano Ronaldo, also competed this summer at the age of 41.