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.
How old will they be?
Messi turns 39 during the summer and Ronaldo is 41. The next World Cup, in 2030, would arrive when they're 43 and 45 — so a fifth or sixth tournament is realistically off the table.
Have they confirmed retirement?
Neither has ruled out playing on at club level, and neither has officially confirmed it's their last. But the math makes another World Cup highly unlikely.
What's at stake for them?
Messi leads Argentina trying to defend the title he finally won in 2022, while Ronaldo chases the one major trophy that has eluded him — adding extra drama to a likely farewell.
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.
Key Takeaways
- Messi will be 38 and Ronaldo 41 during the tournament, so 2026 is widely expected to be their last World Cup.
- Neither has confirmed retirement, but another World Cup in 2030 looks highly unlikely.
- Wikipedia — Lionel Messi(accessed 2026-06-04)
- Wikipedia — 2026 FIFA World Cup(accessed 2026-06-04)