Is 2026 the last World Cup for Messi and Ronaldo?
Almost certainly yes. Lionel Messi will be 38 and Cristiano Ronaldo 41 during the tournament, so 2026 is widely expected to be the final World Cup for both all-time greats. Neither has confirmed retirement, but the math makes another World Cup in 2030 highly unlikely.
- 1Messi turns 39 in June 2026; Ronaldo is 41[1]
- 2The next World Cup is in 2030, when they would be 43 and 45[2]
- 3Messi captains defending champions Argentina; Ronaldo captains Portugal[1]
- 4Both are their nations' all-time leaders and the two top scorers in men's soccer history[1]
For most fans, 2026 is the last dance for the two defining players of their generation. Messi turns 39 during the summer and Ronaldo is 41 — and the next World Cup, in 2030, would arrive when they''re 43 and 45. Neither has ruled out playing on at club level, but a fifth/sixth World Cup is realistically off the table.
It adds a layer of drama: Messi leads Argentina trying to defend the title he finally won in 2022, while Ronaldo chases the one major trophy that has eluded him. Whatever happens, 2026 is almost surely the final World Cup stage for both.
It's a farewell tour in the spirit of Tom Brady's or Kobe Bryant's last seasons — a last chance to watch all-time icons on the sport's biggest stage before they step away.
- Wikipedia — Lionel Messi(accessed 2026-06-04)
- Wikipedia — 2026 FIFA World Cup(accessed 2026-06-04)