Country
🇦🇷 Argentina
Club
Inter Miami
Position
Forward
Age at the World Cup
38 (turns 39 during the tournament)
The greatest of his generation arrives in North America for one final act. Lionel Messi leads defending champions Argentina into a record sixth World Cup, having finally lifted the trophy that defined his legacy in Qatar in 2022.
Now at Inter Miami and 38 years old — he turns 39 between Argentina’s opening group games — Messi is no longer the player who carried Barcelona for a decade, but his vision, set pieces and big-game instinct remain unmatched. Every touch this summer could be his last on the grandest stage.
Why watch
- Record sixth World Cup — shared only with Cristiano Ronaldo
- Captained Argentina to the 2022 title in Qatar
- Turns 39 between Argentina’s first two group games
- 2022 World Cup Golden Ball winner
Key match to watch
Facts summarised from public sources as of June 2026. Catch Argentina's games on the World Cup schedule and add them to your must-watch list.