After Lionel Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria, he became the all-time leading World Cup scorer, and social media quickly revived an eight-year-old quote that had written him off. The old post, from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, said, “It was surely Messi's last World Cup match. He'll be 35 by the next World Cup in Qatar.” It has spread again because Messi is still starring at the highest level.
The article notes that since that prediction, Messi has gone on to win both the Copa América and the World Cup, strengthening his case as one of football’s greatest players. The viral repost, published on June 22, 2026 by Not Match of the Day, mocked the failed forecast, pointing out that not four years, but eight had passed and Messi was still “on top of the world.” It also added that he had already scored five goals in two matches at this World Cup.
The piece then quotes praise from several prominent figures. Zlatan Ibrahimović said Messi might even play the next World Cup at age 42, calling him a genius who does not rely on physical strength but on thinking and positioning. Ibrahimović also joked that Messi has five goals in two matches, while he has “zero goals in two World Cups.”
Olivier Giroud said Messi knows how to manage his body and lifestyle perfectly, and that teammates around him “look for him all the time” and are willing to give everything for him. Spanish journalist Guillem Balagué added that Messi appears physically fitter now than in past tournaments, can last the full 90 minutes, and uses intelligence rather than bursts of speed to beat defenders. Balagué said he expects Messi to still be there in four more years.
