Sports Desk; Dbarta24 — The future of Lionel Messi in the iconic blue-and-white jersey remains one of the most talked-about topics in world football.
Following another captivating campaign at the 2026 World Cup where Messi once again anchored Argentina’s squad, questions naturally loom over whether the maestro will feature in the 2028 Copa América.
Addressing the speculation, Claudio Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), clarified that the decision to continue playing for the national team rests entirely with Messi himself, emphasizing that the federation will not impose any pressure on their legend.
“It’s a Personal Decision”: AFA Backs Messi’s Timeline
Speaking in an exclusive interview with TyC Sports, Tapia insisted that the world champion captain deserves space and time to deliberate on his career.
“It is a completely personal decision, and that belongs solely to Leo,” Tapia stated. “We want to let him be in peace. He played wonderfully in the World Cup, and we enjoyed his game. We should be proud. Every time we saw him on the pitch, we cherished every moment. In this World Cup, he was the flagbearer of the team, just as he was in every previous competition.”Unprecedented Era of Argentine Success
Tapia highlighted the remarkable golden age Argentina has experienced under manager Lionel Scaloni, pointing directly to Messi’s central role in those achievements. Under Scaloni’s stewardship, La Albiceleste reached five major finals, winning four of them.
The national team’s record over a 103-match stretch stands at an astounding 76 wins, 19 draws, and only 8 losses. Remarkably, between the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, Argentina suffered just two defeats—one against Saudi Arabia and the other against Spain in the World Cup final.
“If you analyze his performance in the World Cup, to me, Leo was the player of the tournament in the final,” Tapia added, praising Messi’s continuous record-breaking displays. “Match after match, he set new records.”The Engine of Argentina’s Golden Era
Statistically, Messi’s influence on the current national team setup remains unmatched. Since Scaloni took charge in 2018, Argentina has netted 190 goals across all competitions. Messi directly contributed to 86 of those goals—scoring 60 and assisting 26—solidifying his status as the primary architect of Argentina’s modern dominance.
To put his output into perspective:
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Lionel Messi: 60 goals, 26 assists (86 direct goal contributions)
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Lautaro Martínez: 40 goals
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Julián Álvarez: 15 goals
The Road to 2028 and Beyond
Argentina’s next major milestone is the 2028 Copa América. By the time the tournament kicks off, Messi will be 41 years old.
Although his club contract with Inter Miami runs through that period, uncertainty lingers over whether physical demands will allow him to participate in another continental tournament or look ahead toward the 2030 World Cup.
Regardless of what lies ahead, the AFA leadership maintains a steadfast stance: the door remains open, but the final whistle on his international career will be blown only when Messi himself decides it is time.