Sport
Messi Hints at Retirement After Hat-Trick Against Bolivia
Lionel Messi, the legendary captain of Argentina, has acknowledged that he may be nearing the end of his international career after delivering a masterclass performance in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Bolivia.
On Tuesday night, Messi dazzled fans at the Monumental de Núñez Stadium, scoring a hat-trick and assisting two more goals as Argentina crushed Bolivia 6-0.
The win was yet another statement of Argentina’s dominance under the leadership of the man who led them to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.
After the match, Messi reflected on his journey with the national team, admitting that he is soaking in every moment with the awareness that these might be his final appearances for Argentina.
“It’s wonderful to play here, surrounded by the affection of our supporters,” Messi said.
He added that hearing the fans chant his name fills him with emotion, reinforcing the special bond he shares with the Argentine people.
Despite his brilliant performance, the 36-year-old Inter Miami star was candid about his future.
When asked whether he would play in the 2026 World Cup, Messi didn’t provide a definitive answer but left the door open for a possible farewell.
“I haven’t set any specific date or deadline for my future,” he explained. “I’m just enjoying every bit of this experience.
I’m more emotional than ever and I’m feeling all the love from the people because I know these could be my last games.”
Messi’s comments have ignited speculation about whether the iconic forward, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history, will be part of the 2026 World Cup squad.
Having already cemented his place as a national hero after leading Argentina to their third World Cup title in 2022, his retirement from international football would mark the end of an era.
However, Messi seems focused on embracing every moment and cherishing the connection with his fans.
His journey with the Argentina national team has been filled with both triumph and heartbreak, from the disappointments of losing multiple Copa América finals to the pinnacle of winning the World Cup.
Messi’s emotional bond with Argentina’s passionate fan base has only deepened over time, and with each passing game, fans across the world are left wondering how many more times they’ll get to witness Messi’s magic in an Argentina jersey.
As Argentina looks ahead to more qualifiers on the road to the 2026 World Cup, all eyes will be on Messi.
Whether or not he continues beyond this cycle, his impact on the national team and the sport will remain unforgettable.
For now, Messi is enjoying the ride, leaving fans to savor each remaining moment of his extraordinary career.
Former footballer Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s match following their loss to Atlético Madrid on October 13.
Speaking during a brief interview on CBS Sports, Henry criticised the practice of players or coaches expressing certain opinions through the media instead of addressing issues directly within the dressing room.
“I’m not a coach anymore, but I always say, whoever speaks like that, out. Keep that in the dressing room, it’s as simple as that,” Henry said on CBS Sports.
“That is the only way it can work. You have to say those things to a person’s face… going through the press, I am not really a fan of that.”
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has shared his thoughts on the 2026 Ballon d’Or award, revealing that he hopes the winner will come from his team.
The manager spoke about how hard his players have worked and expressed his belief that they deserve the recognition.
“What I hope is that we win this trophy. We have players who deserve it.”
“Last year, we were the best team. We showed that it wasn’t just Ousmane Dembélé who deserved it.”
French football pundit Walid Acherchour has named Lamine Yamal as his pick to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, sparking reactions among football fans.
Acherchour’s choice came as a surprise to some fans, who expected him to support fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappé instead.
Speaking about his prediction, Acherchour expressed confidence in Yamal’s chances of winning the prestigious individual award.
“For me, Lamine Yamal, he is going to get it [2026 Ballon d’Or]. For me, there’s no doubt anymore,” Acherchour said, as quoted by Actu Foot. That start to the season shows that in fact, he was injured during the World Cup. He was the best player in La Liga, and he won the World Cup.
“Even if, for me, in fact, he doesn’t have the Ballon d’Or unanimously because his World Cup was average, even being average, he won it with Spain. He won La Liga with Barça.”
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