Paredes says Messi may have decided Argentina future after World Cup loss
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes said teammate Lionel Messi may have already decided his future with the national team after Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Paredes told Sport Daily that he hopes Messi continues playing, but stressed the decision is Messi’s alone and that whatever makes the star happy will make the team happy too. Messi led Argentina in the final, which Argentina lost after Ferran Torres scored the only goal. He has already won both the Copa América and the World Cup with Argentina, and it remains unclear whether he will play another World Cup for the Albiceleste.
For Nigerian football fans, Messi’s possible retirement marks the end of an era that has defined modern football and inspired countless players across Africa. His presence in Argentina’s squad has been a major draw for fans tuning into international matches, and his absence could shift dynamics in upcoming tournaments such as the Copa América 2024 and future World Cup qualifiers.
If Messi does step away, will you continue to follow Argentina’s matches with the same enthusiasm, or will you shift your support to emerging talents like Julián Álvarez or Enzo Fernández? Consider how his legacy might influence the next generation of Nigerian players aspiring to play abroad.