Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia believes Lionel Messi should have complete freedom to decide when he ends his career.
Messi is now 39 but showed at the 2026 World Cup that he can still perform at the highest level. Tapia does not want anyone to put pressure on the Argentina captain over his future.
“It’s a decision that is purely and personally his,” Tapia said.
“You have to let him relax. In 2022, we didn’t know if he’d play in 2026. He said it was game by game, and I think we’ve seen a great version, if not the best, of Leo in a World Cup.
“You have to let him keep enjoying playing football and after that he’ll make the decision he feels is the right one.”
Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists at the World Cup. He played a key role as Argentina reached another final after winning the title in Qatar four years earlier.
Their title defence ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain after extra time in the final.
Messi also continued to break records during the tournament. He went past Miroslav Klose’s previous World Cup record of 16 career goals.
However, France star Kylian Mbappe finished the tournament with 22 World Cup goals, one more than Messi.
Tapia was full of praise for Messi’s performances throughout the competition.
“It was a great World Cup from Leo,” Tapia said. “We enjoyed it a lot, and we’ve got to feel proud. I enjoyed every moment.”
“Without a doubt, he was the standard bearer of this group in the World Cup. If you analyze the World Cup he had, for me, he was the best player. He was breaking records match after match.”
Messi has not said when he plans to leave international football. He has also given no clear sign about how long he wants to continue playing for Inter Miami.
The next World Cup will take place in 2030, when Messi will be 43. For now, Tapia wants Argentina’s biggest star to enjoy his football and make his own decision when the time feels right.
