Lionel Messi's recent performance at the Club World Cup has sparked speculation about his potential farewell from the global soccer scene. Facing off against Paris St-Germain, his former club, the 38-year-old Argentine superstar experienced a heavy 4-0 loss but still demonstrated flashes of brilliance. The match drew an impressive crowd of 65,574, all eager to witness Messi's magic on the field, as noted by Inter Miami's coach Javier Mascherano.
Despite being contracted to Inter Miami until the end of 2025, Messi's future remains unclear. While Argentina teammates and Inter Miami players, like Nicolas Otamendi and Luis Suarez, expect him to stay through the 2026 World Cup held in the US, Mexico, and Canada, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague suggests even Messi himself does not have concrete plans. According to Balague, Messi is examining his career on a tournament-by-tournament basis, focusing on performance before making long-term decisions about his future.
Messi already achieved his career pinnacle with Argentina's World Cup win in Qatar in 2022, solidifying his legacy as one of soccer's greatest players. However, during the recent match against PSG, he couldn't deliver the goal that fans were hoping for from a free-kick opportunity, hitting the ball into the wall instead. Nonetheless, his tactical intelligence and skill remain evident as highlighted by former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi, who praised Messi's unique ability to control the game when the ball is at his feet.
Throughout his monumental career, Messi has become the all-time leading goalscorer for Barcelona, Argentina, and Inter Miami, amassing an impressive total of 672, 112, and 50 goals respectively. Despite being recognized as a superstar, it's clear that at 38 years old, his best performances are behind him. This match was particularly poignant as it marked the first time Messi faced PSG since leaving the club. Though PSG has thrived without him, claiming several accolades recently, Messi's involvement in critical moments still showcases his enduring talent.
In the game against PSG, Messi contributed with a high degree of skill, completing 31 out of 35 passes, and offering significant opportunities to his teammates, though they were not capitalized upon. As fans and commentators absorb the implications of this match, many reflect on whether we have witnessed Messi's last appearance on a grand international stage, with the next Club World Cup set for 2029, when he would be 42, casting doubt on his participation. Regardless of what lies ahead, the football world will remember Messi as a generational talent whose presence transcended the sport.
