Despite winning the World Cup title in 2022, why is Lionel Messi attempting to win the trophy again at the age of 39?
Lionel Messi is the G.O.A.T. of football,
and nobody is entitled to judge him or tell him what he should do and what he shouldn’t. However, in our book of thoughts, we believe he should’ve retired from the Argentina national side after winning the World Cup in 2022. After all, it would’ve ended Messi’s international career like a Hollywood-style script.
Lionel Messi is the true definition of never giving up. ❤️🇦🇷.
Through every challenge, setback, and triumph, he kept believing, kept fighting, and inspired the world along the way. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/5ZajfepNUt— 𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙾 7G (@bigmilano_01) June 4, 2026
The narrative includes numerous defeats, retirements, comebacks, and ultimately, the World Cup trophy along with the Copa America victories. So, after all of these events, why does Messi need to play another World Cup at the age of 39? Here are some of the reasons we could think of.
O Captain! My Captain!
ARGENTINA PEGANDO PESADO! 🇦🇷🔥
Atual campeã do mundo, a Albiceleste trabalha firme e foca nos treinos de alta intensidade na preparação para o Copa do Mundo!
Sob o comando de Lionel Scaloni e a liderança do craque Lionel Messi, os argentinos estão acelerando com o objetivo… pic.twitter.com/y0QUhQiplf— Lance! (@lancenet) June 4, 2026
Argentina faced multiple defeats in the World Cup and other competitions before the 2022 World Cup victory. However, somewhere in 2020 and 2021, players started to give everything for the sake of Messi. Before Argentina’s present era started, there was some sort of friction in the team that could be felt by fans. However, since 2021, the team has rallied behind their captain Messi, and every time the players take the field, it feels like they are not playing for Argentina; they are doing it for Messi.
Scaloni’s last
O ABOMINÁVEL HOMEM DAS NEVES? 🥶🇦🇷
— CazéTV (@CazeTVOficial) June 3, 2026
Simplesmente Lionel Scaloni praticamente IMÓVEL e sem REAÇÕES durante os pênaltis da FINAL da COPA DO MUNDO de 2022, pô! 🏆🌏
Um dos homens mais GELADOS do planeta! 🤣
🚨 FALTAM 8 DIAS PARA A MAIOR COPA DO MUNDO DE TODOS OS TEMPOS! 𝐄 𝐒𝐄… pic.twitter.com/4um7HemO9g
Therefore, we believe Messi wants to do it one last time because this tournament could very well be Lionel Scaloni’s last campaign with Argentina. Therefore, both Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni realise that they both need each other if they want Argentina to taste another success. Both of the personalities are needed in the team so that the players who behave like brothers in arms on a battlefield compete in the tournament with the same emotion and determination they had displayed in 2022.
Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni also realise that Argentina’s present era could fall apart once both of them or either one of them bids goodbye to the team.
American advantage
Throwback to Messi scoring a 94th minute free kick to win the game for Inter Miami on his debut.
— LSPN_FC (@LSPN__FC) May 29, 2026
That too in front of the likes of Lebron and Kardashians 😭pic.twitter.com/TP3bwUZgzh
Another reason for Messi’s decision could be the fact that he has been playing in the United States of America for Inter Miami since 2023. Messi is well accustomed to the weather conditions, stadiums, and fans, and therefore, these factors are an advantage for him and his team. Apart from cheering for the United States, Mexico, and Canada, home fans in North America are expected to cheer for Lionel Messi, which could make him feel at home.
Nothing to lose
🚨OFFICIAL: Lionel Messi has Won 6 International Trophies with Argentina 🇦🇷🌍
— Culers Pro (@CulersPro) June 1, 2026
🏆FIFA U-20 World Cup 2005
🥇Olympic Gold 2008
🏆Copa América 2021
🏆Finalissima 2022
🏆FIFA World Cup 2022
🏆Copa América 2024 pic.twitter.com/78vPAhkuoj
Finally, we believe Lionel Messi has nothing to lose, so why not take a shot at another World Cup trophy? Unlike other editions in which Messi lost and his reputation was tarnished, in this edition, if Argentina fails to lift the trophy, Messi’s legacy will not be hampered. He is a World Cup winner along with multiple other accolades and records to his name. So, Messi has nothing to lose. However, if he leads Argentina to another title, it will be bigger than any player or country lifting the World Cup trophy in the past.
