How 39-year-old Messi powered Argentina into another World Cup final
Lionel Messi has once again proved that age is no barrier to greatness, inspiring Argentina to a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final with another commanding display, despite being the oldest outfield player in the tournament.
The Argentine captain played a decisive role in Wednesday’s 2-1 semifinal victory over England, providing the crucial assist that completed the comeback and underlined why he remains the heartbeat of Lionel Scaloni’s side at 39.
Far from playing a ceremonial role in what many expected to be his final World Cup appearance, Messi has carried Argentina through difficult moments with trademark composure and brilliance. His ability to dictate play, create scoring opportunities and deliver in decisive situations has ensured the defending champions remain on course to retain the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
Messi’s influence has been evident throughout the knockout rounds: coordinating the team and providing complete dominance. He opened the scoring against Cape Verde in the Round of 32 before producing another standout performance in the victory over Egypt in the Round of 16. Against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, his creativity and leadership helped Argentina overcome a stubborn opponent, while his sublime assist against England once again settled a contest when the pressure was at its peak.
Beyond goals and assists, the veteran forward has demonstrated remarkable tactical intelligence. Rather than relying on explosive pace, Messi has adapted his game by conserving energy, drifting into dangerous pockets of space and orchestrating attacks with his vision and passing range. His calmness under pressure has lifted teammates, who continue to look to their captain whenever Argentina need inspiration.
His longevity has become one of the defining stories of the 2026 World Cup. Now appearing in his sixth World Cup, Messi has defied conventional expectations about the limits of elite footballers. Through disciplined fitness, careful workload management and exceptional technical ability, he has continued to perform at the highest level while competing against opponents more than 15 years his junior.
The tournament has also seen Messi extend an already extraordinary collection of records. He has added to his World Cup appearances, goals and assists while further cementing his place among the competition’s greatest performers. His consistent displays have also placed him among the leading contenders for another Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player.
Should Argentina defeat Spain in Sunday’s final, Messi would achieve yet another historic milestone by captaining his country to consecutive World Cup titles. Such a triumph would further strengthen his standing in football history, adding another major achievement to a career already filled with domestic, continental and international honours while enhancing several World Cup records that may stand for generations.
As Argentina prepares for one more shot at global glory, Messi’s latest World Cup campaign has become a testament to resilience, evolution and enduring excellence. At 39, the football icon continues to answer every challenge with performances worthy of his legendary status, leaving fans around the world wondering whether one final victory will complete the most remarkable chapter of an already unparalleled career and could put the final nail in the coffin of the GOAT debate.
