Lionel Messi - Viva Sports HQ

World Cup 2026

Viva's Power Rankings — No.5: Argentina, the defending champions, the wounded squad, and Messi's final chapter

Argentina are the defending World Cup champions. They have lost Foyth and potentially Romero to injury. Messi turns 39 during the tournament. They are fifth on this list — and still capable of winning the whole thing.

World Cup 2026

Top 10 World Cup 2026 Stars — No.4: Lionel Messi, 38 years old, defending champions, one last time

Lionel Messi turns 39 three days before Argentina's first group match. He is the defending World Cup champion. He is almost certainly playing his last tournament. None of that context is necessary to explain why he is here — the football does that.