'Enjoy Lionel Messi while we have him' - Lionel Scaloni insists Argentina captain 'has won the right to decide when he retires' amid 2026 World Cup uncertainty

It has been suggested that an upcoming World Cup qualifier against Venezuela may be the last competitive international fixture that Messi graces in his homeland. Friendlies could be arranged ahead of next summer’s FIFA finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Messi has offered no indication that he is thinking about retirement, but he will turn 39 in July 2026 and is expected to call time on his international career after helping the Albiceleste to try and defend the global title that they claimed at Qatar 2022.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner currently has 193 caps and 112 goals to his name. Argentina will allow their talismanic No.10 to dictate when he walks away, with head coach Scaloni telling Pablo Giralt: “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.”

Messi has been joined at MLS side Inter Miami by an international colleague, in the form of Rodrigo De Paul, and Scaloni added when asked about picking those plying their trade in North America: “De Paul in MLS? I know Rodrigo well. We don’t value where they play, but rather their performances. If he continues to be the same as always, he’ll stay. It’s up to him. I don’t think he’ll have any problems. We know his training style and how he takes care of himself.”

Messi and De Paul missed out on major silverware when suffering defeat in the 2025 Leagues Cup final. They will, however, be eager to represent their country at the next World Cup - with it still being suggested that Messi is poised to agree a contract extension in Florida.