Messi Back for Sixth World Cup After 2022 ‘Farewell’ as Argentina Chase Historic Title Defence

The 38-year-old forward, on the cusp of his 200th cap, reversed his decision to retire from international football and now leads Argentina’s bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup.

Lionel Messi could have signed off from World Cup football on the ultimate high in 2022, but the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is back and poised to become the first man to play in six tournaments when Argentina face Algeria in Kansas City on Tuesday.

The veteran Argentine forward, on the cusp of winning his 200th cap, confirmed four years ago that the Qatar World Cup would be the last of his storied career. He worked his unique magic in the Gulf state, propelling his side to glory with seven goals, including two in a captivating final against France.

“Obviously, I wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more,” Messi said after that triumph, which appeared to be his crowning achievement. But the diminutive forward, who will turn 39 later this month, did admit he would like to play on a little longer as a world champion. In the end, he kept going, unable to resist the lure of football’s biggest stage, and was named in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad last month.

Messi remains Argentina’s talisman as the three-time champions seek to become the first nation to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. “I’ve been enjoying it from the beginning,” he said after last week’s 3-0 friendly win against Iceland in Alabama. “I’m happy, enjoying every moment and excited as always.”

The former Barcelona star had been cagey about whether he would play on to the 2026 tournament. “There were doubts because of what I said at the previous World Cup, that I thought it would be difficult for me to play it again because of the number of years that had to pass,” he said. “But I started feeling good and I was taking things day by day. I had the chance to play, to find my rhythm, to get minutes, to keep feeling good, and it all happened naturally.”

Messi is clearly not the player he once was, having left Europe for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in 2023. But he has been in fine form, scoring 13 goals in 16 games in 2026 after helping his team win the MLS Cup last year. Concerns over his fitness after a hamstring issue were allayed in a 20-minute cameo against Iceland, where he scored from the penalty spot shortly after coming on.

He has already won more silverware with Argentina since the last World Cup, captaining the team to victory in the Copa America in the United States in 2024 and finishing as the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying. “I love playing football, and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore,” he said recently.

Argentina’s all-time top scorer will become just the third man to reach 200 caps after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa if, as expected, he plays against Algeria. Ronaldo, Messi’s greatest personal rival, is also set to feature in his sixth World Cup.

According to a report by Accra Street Journal, teammate Julian Alvarez told FIFA.com: “We’re all fully aware that this could well be Leo’s last World Cup, given his age, but it’s his decision at the end of the day. It’ll certainly make for a special World Cup for everyone who watches and follows him, given that he’s the best player of all time.”

Source: Accra Street Journal 

Last Updated on June 14, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

accrastreetjournal.com/