Lautaro Martínez confirms 2026 World Cup will be Messi's last

Argentina survived a nightmarish evening to secure a 3-2 win over Egypt, thanks to a Lautaro Martínez assist for Enzo Fernández in the 92nd minute. At the final whistle, Lionel Messi was in tears — and his teammate confirmed what many feared: this could be one of the last matches for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner at a World Cup.

Speaking to reporters, Martínez did not shy away from the question. “It’s his last World Cup,” he said bluntly, settling the matter where Messi himself had remained deliberately vague about his international future. The Milan striker described a dressing room galvanized by their captain’s emotion. “Leo is our balance, our guide, our leader. To see him like that, emotional at the end… I left him that moment to enjoy it, because he deserved it. We will continue to give everything for him.”

The match had nearly ended in disaster. Trailing twice to Egypt, Argentina had to dig deep to come back each time, before Fernández delivered the Albiceleste in added time. “After Egypt’s second goal, the team showed incredible strength of character, its unity and sense of sacrifice,” Martínez emphasized.

Julián Álvarez echoed the sentiment, praising Messi’s daily demands in training. “There aren’t many words left to describe him. At the World Cup, he’s always impressive. He’s a legend of history.” Messi himself soberly reminded that his team “never gives up.”

Qualified for the quarter-finals, the Argentines approach the rest of the competition with a clearly stated mission: to give their captain one final world title before international retirement.