Lionel Messi Shines at 39, Leading Argentina to 2026 World Cup Final

Less than 48 hours before the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, Lionel Messi remains the focal point of global attention. At 39 years old, the captain of Argentina's national team has delivered an extraordinary tournament performance, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. His remarkable form has reignited his candidacy for the Ballon d'Or, with many experts and former players praising his impact.

Angel Marcos, a former Argentine player and coach, admitted he was surprised by Messi's level, saying, "He surprised us, and me first. I did not expect him to be at this level four years after the 2022 World Cup. I had doubts, but he is doing much more than I expected. If Argentina is in the final, it is thanks to Messi." Despite a less impressive period before the tournament, including an injury and over a month’s absence during the season, Messi returned to his best form at the World Cup, influencing nearly every critical moment for Argentina.

Renato Civelli, another former Argentine player who played in France, explained how Messi adapted his game to his age. "He has less speed than before, but great players are first and foremost smart. Messi almost always makes the right decision. He used to play deeper and needed three players to stop him. Today, he reinvents himself to help the team." Civelli also highlighted Argentina’s fighting spirit as a key advantage, even if their style is not the most beautiful football.

Messi’s outstanding World Cup performance has firmly placed him among the top contenders for the Ballon d'Or, a prize he was rarely mentioned for before the tournament. The possibility of him winning the award for the ninth time now seems realistic. Civelli noted, "For Leo, it is never enough. Clearly, he thinks about being the best player in the world again. If someone told me he would reach the final with eight goals, I wouldn’t have believed it either." Marcos went further, stating, "The Ballon d'Or should go to the best player in the world, right? Messi is still the best. He should have won at least 14, not eight. If Argentina wins, no one can say the prize was stolen."