Lionel Messi, at 39 years old, has been named the standout player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. An athlete nearly four decades into life is outperforming players half his age on the biggest stage in global sports.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, saw Portugal knocked out in the Round of 16 by Spain and confirmed he’s done with World Cups for good.
Messi’s record-breaking run
Argentina’s captain has been nothing short of absurd in this tournament, hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Messi netted a hat-trick against Algeria and has scored consistently throughout the competition, pushing his all-time World Cup goals tally to 19.
His performances have included scoring in consecutive games, a feat that underscores something beyond talent: an almost unreasonable level of physical and mental durability.
