Lionel Messi has fuelled retirement speculation by calling Sunday's World Cup final 'the last tango' in a cryptic social media post. The Argentina captain, who turned 39 last month, shared a photo of himself draped in the flag on Instagram, writing: 'What a journey we're having together, @adidasfootball… with 'The Last Tango'… Let's go for the final, let's go Argentina!!!' The phrase is the name of his signature Adidas boots, but the timing — hours before what would be his 34th World Cup appearance — has set tongues wagging.
Whatever happens in the showpiece against Spain, where Argentina are bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962, Messi's place in history is secure. He has scored eight goals in seven games in the 2026 tournament, just two behind Kylian Mbappe, and sits on 21 World Cup goals overall. A victory would make him the first captain to lift the trophy twice.
“Messi calls World Cup final 'the last tango' in Instagram post, hinting at retirement after Sunday's showpiece.”
Yet the Inter Miami forward, who signed a new contract until 2028, has hinted this could be his final dance. In a separate emotional Instagram post on Saturday, he wrote: 'The best part of all these years wasn't just the titles, but the whole journey… Whatever happens tomorrow, this group has already written a story we’ll never forget and that no one can erase.'
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has no doubt about Messi's legacy, calling him 'history, a legend… the best footballer the world has ever seen'. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, however, doubts it is the end. 'Even if you hear it is the end, I doubt it… I just see him with the national side, simply because he enjoys it,' Balague told BBC Sport. 'I don't see him being at Inter Miami in the MLS, still performing and then saying that's it.'
But a 43-year-old Messi at the 2030 World Cup — which Argentina co-hosts for one match — would be unprecedented. For now, the 'last tango' resonates as both a boot name and a possible farewell. Sunday's final, his third, may be his last chance to write another chapter.