The president of the Argentine Football Association has stated that the decision about the end of his career lies solely with Leo Messi, after he once again dazzled the world at the World Cup this summer.
The president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, has stated that Lionel Messi will make his own decision about when to retire from the national team and professional football, leaving no doubt that the Association will fully respect his choice.
In an interview with Argentine television, Tapia emphasized that no one is putting pressure on the 39-year-old captain, especially after the impressive performances he delivered at the just-concluded 2026 World Cup.
"That decision is solely and personally his. You have to let him relax. Even in 2022, we didn't know if he would play in 2026. He said he was taking it game by game, and I think we saw a brilliant version-if not the best-of Leo at a World Cup," Tapia said.
He added that the most important thing is for Messi to continue enjoying football, and the decision will come when he feels the time is right.
At the tournament in the United States, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the final after extra time, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists. He celebrated his 39th birthday on June 24, just two days after scoring twice against Austria in the group stage.
During the tournament, Messi became the first player to break Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals at World Cups, although by the end of the tournament, French forward Kylian Mbappe surpassed him with a total of 22 goals, one more than the Argentine.
"It was a great World Cup for Leo. We really enjoyed it, and we should be proud. I enjoyed every moment. Without a doubt, he was the standard-bearer of this group at the tournament. If you analyze the tournament he played, for me, he was the best player. He was breaking records from match to match," Tapia added.
Although it is unknown whether he will bid farewell to the national team in one of the upcoming matches, it is speculated that the upcoming appearances during the international break from September 21 to 29, 2026, could be his last on home soil. Opponents for those likely friendlies have not yet been announced.
As for the 2030 World Cup, which will be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, Messi would be 43 years old by then, making him older than the current record holder among outfield players, Cameroon's Roger Milla, who played at the World Cup at 42 years and 39 days.
This year, for example, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo played at the tournament at the age of 41. Before a potential appearance in 2030, Argentina will also defend their Copa America title in 2028, for which the host has not yet been announced.
