Is Messi Still Playing for Argentina? Latest Update

Yes, Lionel Messi is still playing for Argentina. The little maestro is still the captain of his country. In fact, Messi is still the best player in the world, despite the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominations fiasco. Messi, like his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, was snubbed for the 2023/24 Golden Ball award.

It is the first time in 21 years that Messi and Ronaldo were not nominated for the world’s most prestigious individual football award. Messi did, however, become the first recipient of the inaugural MARCA ‘America Award’. The award honours the Argentinian’s incredible career, legacy, and influence on the sport. 

Messi has won a record 46 major trophies for club or country. He has also won 56 individual awards, with an unmatched trophy haul, which enhances his greatness. SportsBoom understands that Messi plans to continue playing international football.

Lionel Messi after winning his sixth Ballon D'Or award//Getty Images

Will Lionel Messi Retire or Play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Lionel Messi is undecided. He has been contemplating his future, since moving to Major League Soccer to join Inter Miami. When footballers leave Europe for the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, or any football backwater for bags of cash, the end is nigh. Retirement is around the corner. Messi intimated that he had retired after Argentina’s penalty shootout defeat to Chile in the 2016 CONMEBOL Copa América final.

Messi missed a spot kick, and his disappointment looked to have got the better of him. This defeat came at the height of the foolish Messi-Ronaldo GOAT (greatest of all time) debate. What made the loss worse, was Ronaldo won UEFA EURO 2016 with Portugal to claim his first international title. Messi would have to wait.

Speaking after La Albiceleste’s final loss, Messi said: “In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me. That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again.

“It's been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it's over. I think this is best for everyone. First of all, for me, then for everyone,” he told the South American media after the final.

Messi further stated: “I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it. It’s very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back.” However, several months later, he backtracked, stating that he wanted to win a tournament for his nation.

Lionel Messi//Getty Images

“Many things went through my head the day of the last final,” he said. “I seriously thought of leaving, but I love this country and this shirt too much. I’m grateful to all the people who wanted me to continue playing with Argentina, hopefully, we can give them something to cheer about soon.” 

Messi’s decision to continue playing is one of the best calls in modern sports history. He went on to win the 2021 and 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América titles. He sandwiched the 2022 FIFA World Cup between the South American championships to complete the football trophy set. Messi has won it all, but hunger, injuries, and family often bring about the end of a professional athlete’s career.

The 37-year-old forward shows no signs of stopping. After receiving the ‘America Award’, the Inter Miami striker told MARCA that he is healthy and happy, but that he has not decided if he will play until the next World Cup.

“I haven’t set a goal to reach the World Cup,” Messi said. “I don't like to accelerate time or look ahead. I try to enjoy every day. I hope I can keep playing at this level to feel good and be happy.” 

However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has not ruled out playing in the 2026 World Cup. Messi has stated before that his focus is on the present, not the future. “In the moment, we will see. I don’t like to look too far ahead,” he added.

Messi celebrating 2024 Copa America//Getty Images