Four years ago in Qatar, it felt like the end of the book. Lionel Messi, 35, had finally won the World Cup. He called it his last tournament game and, for many, sealed the argument: football’s greatest ever.
Four years before that, at 31, even those close to him thought his World Cup story was over. No trophy.And yet here he is at 39, still writing chapters.
Messi produced two assists to inspire Argentina’s comeback 2-1 win over England, sending the Albiceleste to a second consecutive World Cup final. They will face Spain — the country where he made his name with Barcelona — in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
A masterclass when it mattered
England led through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute. Thomas Tuchel then pulled defenders on and England sat deep. For the next 37 minutes Argentina had 88% possession.
That’s when Messi took over after shifting to the right wing.
“Getting Messi on the wing was the key for us,” goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said afterward.
The numbers were absurd: 9 dribbles completed, 2 assists, 7 touches in the opposition box, 4 chances created, and a game-high 9 crosses. He became the first player on record since 1966 to complete 9 dribbles and provide 2 assists in a single World Cup knockout match. For context, the entire England team managed 7 successful dribbles.
His corner found Enzo Fernandez for an 85th-minute equalizer. Then, in injury time, he floated a cross for Lautaro Martinez to head the winner.
“He walks around the pitch and then he comes alive when the ball comes to his feet,” said BBC pundit Micah Richards. “This genius comes into play and sometimes that is just the difference.”
England captain Harry Kane admitted: “For large parts we dealt with him really well, but as always with the most dangerous players in the world… he’s one of the best players ever for a reason.”
Chasing more records in New Jersey
Messi now has 8 goals and 4 assists at the 2026 World Cup. That puts him joint top scorer with Kylian Mbappe and second for assists behind France’s Michael Olise.
The 8 goals also take him past his 2022 tally of 7. Overall, he has 21 World Cup goals — the all-time record — with 15 of them coming after he turned 35.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni was blunt: “He’s the best player in history, I don’t know what else he would have to do to prove that. The majority of Spaniards love him.”
From retirement to reinvention
It’s easy to forget Messi actually retired from Argentina in 2016 at age 29 after losing the 2014 World Cup final and three Copa America finals. He came back and has since won two Copas and the 2022 World Cup.
After lifting that trophy in Qatar with PSG, and then moving to Inter Miami, most assumed he was winding down. Even during last year’s Club World Cup, his 2026 involvement was in doubt.
Instead, he’s reinvented himself again. He’s walked 47% of his distance in this tournament — the highest of any outfield player — and is now playing more centrally, then drifting wide to hurt teams late.
He has now scored or assisted in 13 straight games for club and country. One more goal contribution in the final would equal his personal best of 14, set in 2011. He would also become only the second player after Cafu to play in three World Cup finals.
One more game, maybe the last one
Argentina vs Spain. Messi vs the country of Barcelona. The final piece? Maybe. He turns 43 in 2030.
“To finish this way is brilliant,” he said before the 2022 final. But four years later, he’s still here.
And after watching him unlock England with a “skeleton key” in the last 15 minutes, as former England keeper Joe Hart put it, maybe we should stop predicting the end of Messi’s story.
The final is set for Sunday in New Jersey. The GOAT might have one more moment left.
