Lionel Messi had already decided to retire from international football prior to Argentina losing to Spain in the World Cup final.

That is the opinion of his Albiceleste team-mate Leandro Paredes, though the midfielder hopes Messi will perform a U-Turn and continue representing his country.

Against Spain in New Jersey last week, Messi became the first player ever to start three World Cup finals (also 2014 and 2022) and just the second to appear on football's biggest stage three times, after former Brazil captain Cafu (1994 as a substitute, 1998 and 2002). 

But he was unable to inspire Argentina to a successful defence of their crown as Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game in extra time, following Enzo Fernandez's red card.

At 39 years and 25 days, Messi became the oldest outfielder to play in a World Cup final and the second-oldest player overall, after Italy goalkeeper Dino Zoff in 1982 (40 years, 133 days).

It was his 207th appearance for Argentina, for whom he has scored 125 goals, and many believe it could be his last – Paredes among them.

Speaking after helping Boca Juniors beat Chile's O'Higgins FC in the Copa Sudamericana, Paredes was asked about Messi's future and said: "It hurts because, as we said throughout the World Cup, we didn't want the last match to arrive.

"I think he had made a decision that it was his last match for the national team.

"I hope not. I hope he can continue playing. It will be his decision. Whatever makes him happy will surely make us happy too."

Messi scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup, finishing second in the Golden Boot race behind Kylian Mbappe (10).

Messi is also only behind Mbappe in the all-time World Cup scoring charts, with 20 goals to the Frenchman's 21, while he is the all-time leading assister at the tournament with 12, four clear of Diego Maradona (since records began in 1966).

Argentina's World Cup final loss could spell the end of an era for the team. 

Lionel Scaloni's starting line-up for the match had an average age of 30 years and 101 days, the second-oldest for any team in a World Cup final, after Brazil against Czechoslovakia in 1962 (30 years, 216 days).

Paredes, who turned 32 during the tournament, is another player whose international future remains uncertain.

Asked if he had made a decision to quit Argentina duty, Paredes said: "I don't know, it's a process. 

"We have to digest it, think about it, not make hasty decisions, and it's certainly something we have to talk about."

Paredes is among the players being investigated by FIFA regarding the ugly post-match scenes that followed the World Cup final, after he appeared to push the head of Spain midfielder Gavi towards the turf.