One month before the start of the tournament, Argentina’s main star is performing at a very high level of offensive production. To understand exactly how Lionel Messi is ready to compete in his likely last World Cup, just look at his absolute numbers: at 38 years old, the star recently reached the milestone of 86 goals in 100 games for Inter Miami. More than the team’s technical leadership, he enters the competition in North America just four goals away from becoming the top scorer in World Cup history.
The search for historic artillery
With 13 goals scored in 26 matches accumulated over the years, the Argentine starts the group stage with a clear target. He needs to find the back of the net four more times to surpass Miroslav Klose’s markthe former German striker who holds the top spot on the podium with 16 goals. In addition to this direct pursuit of maximum artillery, the simple act of entering the field in the first game guarantees the number 10 the status of first athlete to compete in six world championships in men’s football.
The greatest scorers of the World Cups
The historical goalscoring scenario places the Argentine as the only active player in the top 5 of the tournament:
- Miroslav Klose (Germany): 16 goals
- Ronaldo (Brazil): 15 goals
- Gerd Müller (Germany): 14 goals
- Just Fontaine (France): 13 goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 13 goals
Current income in the United States
The choice to play in Major League Soccer (MLS) did not reduce the impact on the pitch. The Sofascore platform survey details that, in his first 100 matches for Inter Miami, the Argentine recorded an impressive record of 86 goals and 44 assists distributed to companions.
This offensive production on North American soil results in an impressive average of one direct involvement in a goal every 64 minutes. This frequent sequence of games was strategically absorbed so that the athlete could maintain an elite competitive rhythm, shielding himself from the exhausting wear and tear of the European club calendar.
The planning of the Argentine national team
To ensure maximum comfort for the current champion squad, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) protected the logistics of the delegation. The technical committee chose Kansas City as operating base for the first phase, ensuring a high-performance training center and ideal proximity to the stadiums.
Coach Lionel Scaloni kept the nucleus of the team that lifted the cup in Qatar practically intact, being emphatic in stating several times that only the captain has an unconditional place among holders. The collective objective now is to defend the title and seek a second consecutive championship, a feat achieved in the past only by the Italian and Brazilian teams.
Frequently asked questions about the World Cup star
How many World Cups has Messi played in?
The number 10 played in five editions of the tournament (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022). Entering the field in the 2026 competition consolidates his sixth official participation, isolating him as the player with the most appearances in the history of the men’s tournament.
How old is Messi in the 2026 World Cup?
The athlete presents himself for the tournament at 38 years of age. The Argentine turns 39 on June 24, 2026, a date that occurs exactly during the group stage of the championship in North America.
Will Messi retire from the national team after the tournament?
There is no formal announcement or definitive decision published by the player’s team. The striker reiterated in recent interviews that he evaluates his conditioning and motivation year by year, preferring not to officially consider the tournament as his farewell to international football.
