Lionel Messi has been winning trophies with the Argentina national team for the past three years. However, it is clear to everyone that the 37-year-old superstar’s body is no longer able to take it.
Messi be wiser and more alert than Ronaldo
Everything Messi touches turns to gold. That’s exactly what happens when the 37-year-old striker reaps all the glory possible. Messi has won 4 trophies with Argentina in 3 years, including 2 Copa Americas, 1 World Cup and 1 Finallisima. Messi always goes to the final match to win, as if fate is trying to make up for his long period of painful defeats in the Albiceleste shirt.
For Messi now, everything is too perfect. The recent Copa America championship helped him become the player with the most titles in the history of football (45). There is nothing that Messi has not done. La Pulga is enjoying the ultimate glory, and he intends to immerse himself in it to the point of seemingly “forgetting the way back”.
After the 2024 Copa America, a big question mark about Messi immediately appeared: Will the owner of 8 Golden Balls attend the 2026 World Cup with the Argentina team? The Tango dancers are the current world champions, and Messi – with his boundless love for the national team – certainly wants to be part of the journey to help Albiceleste defend the throne.
From the perspective of both Argentina fans and the national team, it would be great if Messi continued to play in the 2026 World Cup in North America, as everyone wants to see the greatest player of all time play for as long as possible. However, to be honest, it would be a mistake for Messi to try to compete with Argentina in the next World Cup in 2 years.
Messi has won all the glory with Argentina
Messi is in a good position to leave Argentina on a high, so why risk tarnishing it? Why would Messi put himself in a position where he could look as “bored” as Cristiano Ronaldo?
In fact, at the 2024 Copa America, Messi only played at an average level instead of exploding like at the 2022 World Cup. The Inter Miami superstar still created moments of brilliance, but they no longer appeared regularly. Even in the final match against Colombia, Messi had to leave the field early due to injury. He cried on the bench when he was substituted, and fortunately his teammates fought with all their might to help Argentina win the championship.
Messi’s health has declined significantly in the past year. He is susceptible to injuries, causing him to spend more time on the field than on the field. Messi’s body has begun to exceed its tolerance, and it seems to want to tell El Pulga “I’m tired”. Messi has had to work hard throughout his illustrious career of 2 decades, so it is inevitable that he will have physical problems.
Ronaldo had a total failure at EURO 2024
So, this is the time for Messi to make a choice based on reason instead of heart. Everyone knows how passionate Messi is about playing for Argentina, but it would be much better if the 37-year-old superstar left at the peak of his career. Messi needs to avoid making the same mistake as Ronaldo.
At EURO 2024, Ronaldo, at the age of 39, is still fighting with the Portuguese team from match to match. However, what CR7 received was another humiliating defeat after the sad ending at the 2022 World Cup. Ronaldo was widely ridiculed for his “greed”, which seriously affected his image as well as everything he had built throughout his career.
Messi may not be as good as Ronaldo, but knowing when to stop is essential. Toni Kroos retired at the peak of his career and was widely praised, so why wouldn’t Messi do the same? Suppose Messi and Argentina fail at the 2026 World Cup, he won’t be ridiculed like Ronaldo. However, that’s still not a really beautiful and fulfilling ending.
Saying goodbye to the Argentina team before the 2026 World Cup would be the best thing for Messi.
