Lionel Messi's international career may have reached its conclusion, as teammate Leandro Paredes suggested that the captain appeared to have made a decision regarding his retirement prior to the 2026 World Cup final against Spain. Argentina's title defense ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat on July 19 in New Jersey, leaving Messi visibly emotional after the match.

Paredes' Insights on Messi's Future

In an interview with DSports after returning to Boca Juniors, Paredes provided a strong indication that the World Cup final could have been Messi's last appearance for the national team. “We didn’t want the last match to come. I think he had made a decision. I hope not, I hope he can keep playing,” Paredes remarked, highlighting the emotional weight of the moment.

Paredes, who is one of Messi's closest teammates, noted that Messi entered the tournament with the belief that the final might be his last. “I think he had made a decision that it was also his last match with the national team,” he added. However, he emphasized that the ultimate choice lies with Messi and expressed hope that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would continue to represent Argentina.

Speculation Surrounding Messi's Retirement

Throughout Argentina's World Cup campaign, Messi's future remained a focal point. Following Argentina's dramatic victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, Paredes acknowledged the squad's desire to postpone the moment of saying goodbye to their captain. Despite advancing past Switzerland and England to reach the final, the defeat to Spain has reignited discussions about whether this match marked the end of Messi's illustrious international career.

Messi has refrained from making any retirement announcements before the tournament, and his silence following the final leaves Paredes' comments without official confirmation. Paredes also mentioned that he is contemplating his own future with the national team, adding another layer to the ongoing discussions surrounding Argentina's squad.