“Love lasts forever, as long as it lasts” is one of those expressions that fits many situations in everyday life. But when it comes to the relationship between Lionel Messi and Argentina, the second part of that phrase seems unnecessary. This is a bond that has transcended time.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup could mark Lionel Messi’s final major chapter in the Argentina shirt. The captain and his teammates dream of reaching another World Cup final and once again standing at the summit of world football.
However, the road to another triumph will not be easy. One of the biggest tactical questions is whether Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Lautaro Martínez can all play together. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has acknowledged that the trio can coexist, but has emphasized that maintaining the team’s balance remains the top priority.
Argentina begin their Group J campaign against Algeria before facing Austria and Jordan. Having learned a painful lesson from their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup, the reigning world champions know there are no easy matches on football’s biggest stage.
Messi’s journey with Argentina has been extraordinary. From his difficult debut in 2005, when he was sent off just one minute after coming on against Hungary, to the golden era that began with the 2021 Copa América triumph, continued with the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar, and was followed by another Copa América title in 2024.
For many years, Messi endured constant criticism and endless comparisons with Diego Maradona. But in the end, he won the heart of an entire nation and changed the history of Argentina’s national team.
Now comes “The Last Dance.” The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be Messi’s final World Cup and one last opportunity to add another unforgettable chapter to his legendary career.
Regardless of the outcome, the ending will be emotional. Because Lionel Messi is no longer just a football star representing Argentina—he has become its symbol, an inseparable part of the nation’s identity and of world football history.
