Leandro Paredes has fuelled speculation over Lionel Messi’s international future, suggesting the Argentina captain may already have decided that the 2026 World Cup final was his last appearance for the national team.
Argentina lost the final to Spain despite another outstanding tournament from the 39 year old, who once again finished among the competition’s leading scorers while creating a string of chances for his teammates. Messi had previously cast doubt on featuring at this World Cup at all, having already fulfilled his lifelong ambition by winning the trophy in 2022, which made his participation in 2026 something of a bonus for Argentine fans.
Speaking after returning to Boca Juniors, Paredes did not hold back initially. “I think he had decided that it was his last game for the national team,” he said, before appearing to catch himself and soften the claim. “Hopefully not, I hope he can continue playing. It will be his decision. What makes him happy will surely make us happy too.”
In a separate interview shared by Sport Daily, Paredes offered a similar assessment, saying he believed Messi had already made up his mind, while insisting he hoped that was not the case. The remarks were enough to intensify speculation that one of the greatest international careers in football history may have quietly come to an end without a farewell match or formal announcement.
Messi himself has made no public statement on his future. Since his senior debut in 2005, he has become Argentina’s all time leading scorer and most capped player, captaining the Albiceleste to Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima and the World Cup triumph in Qatar. After that win, he chose to continue rather than retire immediately, a decision that allowed him to add further silverware and lead Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final in 2026.
Paredes is not the only member of Argentina’s veteran core reassessing his future. Nicolas Otamendi has already confirmed his international retirement, writing on social media that the defeat was not the result his side wanted but that he was leaving with his head held high. Paredes himself admitted he may follow suit, saying the group needed time to process the tournament before making any decisions. “It will be very difficult to maintain this level, for the group to continue functioning this way. We have to weigh a lot of things and talk with the coach, make decisions calmly,” he said. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has also hinted he could step away, saying there was plenty to reflect on before deciding whether it was time to move on.
Whatever those senior players decide, Argentina appear to be entering a period of transition regardless. Manager Lionel Scaloni has steadily introduced younger talent over recent years, with Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Nico Paz all expected to form the core of the side for years to come. Replacing the influence Messi has had on and off the pitch, however, will be an entirely different challenge.
