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Messi 2026 World Cup hint? ‘Last Tournament’ message delivered

Is Lionel Messi a 2026 World Cup hint? ‘Last tournament’ message delivered by Manchester United & Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez.

Lisandro Martinez appears to have hinted at Lionel Messi gracing the 2026 World Cup, with the Argentina defender sending a “last tournament” message.

All-time great landed global crown in 2022
Ready for defense of Copa America title
May have another major event left in him

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All-time great landed global crown in 2022: What occurred?

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who inspired his country to global glory at Qatar 2022, has given little away when it comes to his plans. He initially ruled out defending a World Cup crown in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but has since backtracked a little on those statements.

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Ready for defense of Copa America title: Martinez’s statement

Messi forms part of Argentina’s plans for the 2024 Copa America – which comes in the middle of his MLS campaign at Inter Miami – and Martinez is confident that the all-time great will not bow out at the end of that event. The Manchester United defender has said of his talismanic team-mate: “He’s very calm, more than anything he’s enjoying the day to-day. It’s beautiful to be here, we all have a great relationship. When one is here, one is very happy. We feel at home, which is important. We don’t see it [as his last tournament with Argentina.] We see him happy and with an impressive level. That’s what I can tell you.”

Lionel Messi Argentina 2023 — Messi 2026 World Cup hint

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May have another major event left in him: Embracing a Wider Outlook

Argentina will continue to look to their mercurial No.10 for leadership and guidance, with Martinez adding on the importance of having the evergreen 36-year-old around: “Playing with Leo, for us it’s a very important plus. Everyone knows what Leo represents, he’s the best in the world. Having him play for our team is without a doubt a plus. We are very happy to share the day-to-day with him.”

Asked if he thought this was his last World Cup match, the 35-year-old said: “As I’ve said before, it is.

“They (the fans in Argentina) should wait for us. We’re coming home to celebrate with them.

“We’ve done it. We couldn’t have asked for more. I thank God for everything he gave me, for this outcome, for this trophy that I dreamt of, my teammates and Argentina too. What can I say…we are world champions.”

Messi emulates Diego Maradona by leading Argentina to World Cup glory for the first time since 1986.

“I’m not going to analyze the match now, there’s no need,” he continued. “We were destined to be world champions and we are.

“The game developed as it did, but this is not the time for analysis, but for celebration.”

What comes next?

Messi has taken his record-breaking hauls of caps and goals for Argentina to 180 and 106 respectively, with the plan being to raise those bars even higher before a day comes to hang up the most distinguished of boots. His latest Copa America campaign will get underway on June 20.

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