Lionel Messi 'nearing the end of wonderful story' as ex-Barcelona & Argentina team-mate makes 2026 World Cup prediction

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi completed his historic medal collection in 2022 when inspiring his country to World Cup glory in Qatar. His exploits there earned him another Golden Ball, with the mercurial playmaker refusing to be denied after previously suffering final heartache in 2014.

Messi has no need, at 38 years of age, to grace another major tournament. He has already achieved what he set out to at international level, with a couple of Copa America titles also being captured. As things stand, he boasts 195 caps and 114 goals for Argentina.

He is considered to have taken in a final competitive outing on home soil, during qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but appears destined to become a double centurion on the appearance front at some point in the not too distant future.

Saviola, who also represented Barcelona and Argentina in his playing days, believes that Messi will grace FIFA’s flagship event in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He does, however, concede that the final few chapters are being written in a remarkable sporting fairytale.

Saviola told El Grafico when asked about Messi’s presence at another World Cup: “I don't think Leo knows it either, because I always think about it, trying to be in his head... after winning the World Cup, after making us all happy, not just Argentinians, but the entire football world, who wanted Leo to have a World Cup. I think he'll be there. I see him eager, involved, enjoying himself. But I also feel like we're nearing the end of a wonderful story. I hope it brings closure to everything he gave us.”

Albiceleste boss Lionel Scaloni has said when seeing the same question put to him on a regular basis: “Messi still makes the difference, cracks are like that. Messi has won the right to decide when he retires. Let’s enjoy Messi while we have him.”

He has, however, also pointed out that Argentina are no longer as reliant on their talismanic No.10 as they once were. Scaloni added: “The team is now in a moment where it can play in the same way with Leo or without Leo, which used to be more complex in the past as we had to change some players. But now we don't have this necessity and the team works in the same way, that's good.”

One of those that Saviola sees taking on a starring role for Argentina is Atletico Madrid ace Julian Alvarez. He said of the former Manchester City forward, who already has a World Cup winners’ medal of his own: “Julian Alvarez is my weakness. He's a very complete forward, among the best in the world. He's performing exceptionally well at Atlético Madrid, and for the Argentine national team, he's the best thing that could happen to them to get sharp for the World Cup.”

Argentina also have a crop of exciting youngsters coming through the system, with another appearance being made in the recent U20 World Cup final. Saviola is still the record goalscorer in that event, with 11 efforts to his name, despite the likes of Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe having followed in his footsteps.

He added on retaining that place in the history books: “My family and I always joke around when someone's coming up. I didn't expect it. So many stars come through in the U20s that you know they'll overtake you at some point, but I've been at the top for a long time, and it's a source of pride.”

Saviola will continue watching on from afar as stars of today and tomorrow help Argentina to chase down more major honors, with Messi having set the standard that everyone else must now aspire to.