When Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022, his legacy was sealed. Now, at 39 and with nothing left to prove, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner enters his sixth-and likely final-World Cup as a liberated icon.
Former Argentina striker Jorge Valdano said: "You see the happiness that Leo has: he’s liberated."
Though age and muscle injuries may limit his playing time, Messi remains a potent force as a game-changing substitute and a father figure for the squad. Argentina coach Lionel Scalini noted: "The fact that he has won a World Cup won’t change his innate competitiveness. It has given him complete fulfillment."
Messi continues to shine at Inter Miami, leading the MLS side to three trophies and becoming their all-time top scorer. In World Cup qualifying, he led the group with eight goals in 12 games. He is Argentina's all-time top World Cup scorer with 13 goals and holds the record for most appearances in the tournament with 26.
As he prepares to become the first player alongside rival Cristiano Ronaldo to appear in six World Cups, the debate over soccer's greatest may have already been decided on that night in Lusail.