Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at a record sixth World Cup, extending an international career that has already reshaped the modern game as the reigning champions arrive in North America with both legacy and expectation weighing heavily on every step.
Lionel Messi enters the tournament at 39, still central to Argentina’s identity nearly four years after delivering the country’s long-awaited third world title in Qatar. That 2022 campaign was not just a triumph but a full reinvention of his international legacy, defined by seven goals, three assists, and decisive moments in every knockout round, culminating in a final against France where he scored twice and converted in the shootout to secure the trophy.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the trophy as he celebrates winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final match against France at Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (Reuters Photo)
In the immediate aftermath, Messi suggested that the World Cup win had closed the circle on his career, calling it the one achievement he had been missing. Retirement from international football felt like the natural next step. Instead, he chose to extend his run, driven by the rare opportunity to compete again as reigning world champion and the unfinished pull of elite competition on the global stage.
