Lionel Messi: Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Swan Song or Another Triumph?

Vamos, let’s dive in! I’m a footy purist who worships greatness, and Lionel Messi, that Inter Miami legend, is Argentina’s 2026 World Cup focal point—or final bow. At 38, he’s scored 12 goals and 8 assists in 2024/25 MLS, with TalkSport’s Jim White calling him ‘the GOAT.’ Topping Group A with 23 points, is he still the king, or will age catch up? I’ve seen Pelé’s 1970 fade, so I’m wary.

His stats—0.8 goals per game, 85% pass accuracy, 12 shots on target—defy time, but that 2022 World Cup final penalty scare lingers. With Julián Álvarez’s 9 goals and Emiliano Martínez’s 6 clean sheets, he’s key, yet X debates: ‘Messi’s magic!’ vs. ‘Too old!’ Their 2024/25 form—8 wins, 1 draw—looks strong, but a knockout with Brazil or France will test him. I say he’ll score 3, including a free-kick, but a semi-final exit looms unless he leads.

At Miami, his 12 goals from 16 shots (75% rate) is elite, but his 4 assists lag behind Diego Gómez’s 6. Defensively, Martínez’s 80% save rate anchors, but Messi’s 60% tackle rate shows limited cover. I’ve tracked him since Barcelona’s 2009 rise, and his 2022 World Cup win fuels hope, but 2024’s hamstring tweak worries me. His 8 qualifier goals suggest endurance, but can he handle the grind?

Argentina’s history—1978, 1986, 2022—rides on him. His 2024/25 club stats—95 shot-creating actions—show class, but a 1-0 loss to Uruguay stings. I predict 3 goals, 2 assists, and a runner-up spot.

This is his farewell. With Messi’s vision, Argentina might win—prove me right, Leo! The Buenos Aires crowd’s 70,000 will lift him, but a red card risk—2 in 2025—could cost us. Let’s hope Scaloni plays him deep to exploit gaps!