The debate over the international future of Lionel Messi is still open. After winning the title at Qatar 2022, the Argentine star has cast doubt on his participation in the upcoming World Cup, set to be played in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026. However, journalists and fans believe it would be a monumental error to miss the chance of watching him one last time on football’s biggest stage alongside his eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi’s Uncertainty

The Inter Miami player, now 38, has hinted that his age might prevent him from reaching the next World Cup. “I don’t think I’ll play another World Cup. Because of my age, it’s logical I won’t make it, but I’m living day by day and enjoying the sensations,” said the captain of the Argentina national team, in what was likely his final official game on home soil.

Even so, the global expectation is that Messi will feature in the 2026 World Cup, especially since the tournament will expand to 48 teams. The possibility of a shared farewell with Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains active with the Portugal national team, is considered by many to be a unique and unrepeatable attraction in football history.

Media Calls for His Presence

Journalist Tomás Guasch, from Spanish outlet COPE, voiced criticism of Messi’s uncertainty: “If this World Cup had a special appeal, it was the final dance between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be a joke for the Argentine not to be there. Even if he plays just a little, he must be part of it. He cannot be absent from a tournament of such magnitude.”

Coach Lionel Scaloni has insisted that the decision will be entirely up to his captain, respecting the timing and feelings of the player himself. Meanwhile, Messi’s future seems tied to MLS, where he could renew his contract with Inter Miami, though it remains unclear whether he will extend his international career through 2026.

If his absence is confirmed, football would lose one of the most anticipated chapters of modern history: the closing act of the iconic rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at a World Cup.