‘I think he had decided’: Paredes hints 2026 World Cup final may have been Messi’s last for Argentina

Lionel Messi may already have played his final match for Argentina, with teammate Leandro Paredes revealing that the captain appeared to have made up his mind about retiring from international football before the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.

Argentina’s title defence ended in disappointment on July 19 as Spain secured a 1-0 victory in New Jersey. An emotional Messi was seen in tears after the final whistle, but the 39-year-old has not made any public announcement regarding his future with the national team.

Speaking to DSports after returning to Boca Juniors, Paredes offered the strongest indication yet that the World Cup final may have been Messi’s farewell in the Argentina shirt.

“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 said.

The midfielder, one of Messi’s closest teammates, suggested that the Argentina captain had entered the tournament believing the final could be his final international appearance.

“I think he had made a decision that it was also his last match with the national team,” Paredes added.

However, Paredes stressed that the final decision rests entirely with Messi and expressed hope that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner could still continue.

“Whatever makes him happy will surely make us happy too,” he said.

Messi’s future had remained a major talking point throughout Argentina’s World Cup campaign. Earlier in the tournament, after Argentina’s dramatic comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16, Paredes had admitted that the squad desperately wanted to delay the moment of saying goodbye to their captain.

Argentina went on to defeat Switzerland and England to reach another World Cup final, but Spain ended their title defence, reigniting speculation over whether the match marked the end of Messi’s storied international career.

Messi deliberately avoided making any retirement declaration before the tournament, and his silence since the final means Paredes’ comments cannot be considered official confirmation.

Paredes also admitted that he is reflecting on his own international future following the defeat.

“I don’t know, it’s a process. You have to digest it, think about it and not make rushed decisions,” he said, adding that several senior Argentina players could now face similar choices after a hugely successful era under coach Lionel Scaloni.

For now, there has been no official farewell from Messi. But Paredes’ remarks provide the clearest indication yet from inside the Argentina camp that the legendary forward may have walked into the 2026 World Cup final believing it could be his last game for the Albiceleste.