Lionel Messi retirement verdict imminent as Argentina star faces England | Football | Sport

Lionel Messi is gearing up to face England for the first time and possibly the last, according to former Premier League winger Chris Waddle, who reckons the Argentina legend will not appear at the 2030 World Cup. Messi is preparing to take on the Three Lions in Wednesday night’s semi-final (8pm kick-off).

The Inter Miami star has been key in Argentina’s campaign, netting eight goals in six matches and registering two assists. Messi, 39, has been in exceptional form but could soon take the same decision as Cristiano Ronaldo by calling time on his international career. Ronaldo announced his retirement from Portugal duty after their World Cup campaign ended with a 1-0 round of 32 defeat to rivals Spain – a result that confirmed he would finish his career without lifting the trophy.

Messi, by contrast, is chasing a second World Cup title after his 2022 triumph, though Waddle suggested this could be his final chance. “No, I don’t think he’ll play [at the 2030 World Cup],” Waddle told 10bet. “He was back and forth about this tournament, saying he wasn’t sure if he wanted to play or if he was committed to it, before changing his mind toward the end of the season.

“The thing I like about Messi is he knows his limitations. If he thought the team would be better off without him, he would stand aside. I’d be very surprised if you see him at the next World Cup as a player.

“You may see him there as an Argentine ambassador, but not on the pitch. You’re talking four more years – no, this will be his last World Cup.”

The Argentina legend will be 43 by the time the 2030 World Cup arrives – two years older than Ronaldo was when he featured at this tournament. If this truly is his final shot at the World Cup, he’ll be desperate to go out in triumph, especially with England standing in his way for the first time in his career.

A place in the final hangs in the balance, and Argentina are chasing back‑to‑back World Cup titles for the first time since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962. The Argentine superstar is level with Kylian Mbappe on eight goals in the Golden Boot race, with the Frenchman edging ahead on the assist tiebreaker after supplying three – one more than Messi.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham sit just behind them on six goals apiece, adding to a tournament that has turned into a full‑blown clash of giants. And for the first time ever, FIFA’s top four‑ranked nations have all reached the semi‑finals, thanks to the tennis‑style draw that kept them apart until now.