⚽ FIFA World Cup 2030: Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay ⚽

[EL MOHA]

Mbappe's highest club goal total for a season was in the 2018-2019 season, and he scored 33 goals. Ronald's highest goal total in his club for one season is 61 goals in the 2014–15 campaign for Real Madrid. Messi had the highest number in was in the 2011/12 season when he scored 73 goals for Barcelona.

I am wondering if the number of goals scored is now the major criterion for winning the Ballon d'Or.  I thought the general contribution of the player to his country and club is what matters. Many players have won the award without scoring many goals. Messi was the greatest; it's not only his goals that made him win the most Ballon d'Or awards.

I think the problem with this year’s ballon d’or and why didn’t have a clear favourite was because of the World Cup you can see that in most World Cup years ones exception at the world were actually the biggest criteria although not all in some of the best years, right now all the favourite had similar World Cup performance with not clear best player between them, the person who would have standard out because he has a great club football was Yamal but he wasn’t exceptional at the World Cup gives other participants the chance. For example Rodri the golden ball winner didn’t have a standout club season again.

Mbappe is in contention with Harry Kane because of goals and yes to be sincere it definitely matters because lets goals are individual stats and this is an individual award. Mbappe finished the goal scorer in almost all the competitions he played in last season and that’s a big achievement individually. Goals were been used in certain years as the deciding factor like for Messi in 2011/2012 and Ronaldo in 2013/2014.

[Hispo]

...

No more argument about him being at the 2030 WC; he will be missed greatly.

https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-retires-from-international-football-gives-reasons/

That is quite a under-statement.
He won't just be missed by fans from Argentina, the fact he decides to retire from international football it is pretty much a game changer in the ecosystem of Argentine and South American Football.

Now Argentina needs to train and find more talent to supply the vacuum Messi is leaving behind.

Fortunately, there is still much time before the next world cup, so Argentina still has some time and chances to breed a new star player, perhaps no at the same level of Messi, but close enough so they can continue to be globally recognized.

[Daniel91]

...

No more argument about him being at the 2030 WC; he will be missed greatly.

https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-retires-from-international-football-gives-reasons/

That is quite a under-statement.
He won't just be missed by fans from Argentina, the fact he decides to retire from international football it is pretty much a game changer in the ecosystem of Argentine and South American Football.

Now Argentina needs to train and find more talent to supply the vacuum Messi is leaving behind.

Fortunately, there is still much time before the next world cup, so Argentina still has some time and chances to breed a new star player, perhaps no at the same level of Messi, but close enough so they can continue to be globally recognized.

Honestly, it will be almost impossible to replace such a football wizard as Messi.
Brazil has been trying for 20 years to find real replacements for football stars like the ''real'' Ronaldo and Ronaldinho who brought Brazil the last world championship title in 2002, the Netherlands has been waiting for the successor to Cruyff for 40 years, Germany for the successor to Beckenbauer, etc.
Such football geniuses are born once in 50 or 100 years and are difficult to replace.
Honestly, Argentina is just an average team without Messi and they certainly wouldn't have played in 3 finals and won the world title without him.
His enormous influence and genius was also seen in the last world championship when he practically just walked around the field and didn't play defense but led Argentina to the final with his goals.
Argentina with Messi and without Messi are 2 completely different teams and that's why I don't see them as favorites for the next world championship in 2030.

[bastisisca]

Yesterday was indeed a dark day in the history of football, hearing the news of Messi’s retirement from international football got me speechless even though i was expecting it soon because of his age, i have watched many past legends including Ronaldinho etc but i have never loved and fan any like Messi, in fact throughout yesterday i kept on asking myself can this world still get an exceptional player like Messi? A player who literally made football colorful throughout his career, even times when Messi’s team lost he still showed class in his individual touches, he broke almost every record in world football and kept a standard that can’t be broken in years to come, what even makes Messi extraordinary to me is his humility despite his skills and achievements in football. Sincerely Messi will always remain the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T), it will take a while before this world can see a player of his kind.

Himself, given that his physique has changed and that the next World Cup will be played in four years, while the next South American Cup in two. So it's all very complicated anyway and moving forward would only be prolonging something that will have to come anyway and it will be better to remember him as a true champion rather than seeing him walk on the pitch and be a burden for the team.
It's just an act that brings more honor to him. He deserve.

[bakasabo]

That is smart move, to retire from international football. It still gives him opportunity to represent football club and decreases level of his responsibility towards his nation. People would wish to see him on World Cup 2030, but I think then they would blame him for performance if Argentina did not make to finals or dont win it. Right now he can focus on playing for football club, maybe even not in top league, and enjoy the game.

[Different patterns]

Mbappe's highest club goal total for a season was in the 2018-2019 season, and he scored 33 goals. Ronald's highest goal total in his club for one season is 61 goals in the 2014–15 campaign for Real Madrid. Messi had the highest number in was in the 2011/12 season when he scored 73 goals for Barcelona.

I am wondering if the number of goals scored is now the major criterion for winning the Ballon d'Or.  I thought the general contribution of the player to his country and club is what matters. Many players have won the award without scoring many goals. Messi was the greatest; it's not only his goals that made him win the most Ballon d'Or awards.

I think the problem with this year’s ballon d’or and why didn’t have a clear favourite was because of the World Cup you can see that in most World Cup years ones exception at the world were actually the biggest criteria although not all in some of the best years, right now all the favourite had similar World Cup performance with not clear best player between them, the person who would have standard out because he has a great club football was Yamal but he wasn’t exceptional at the World Cup gives other participants the chance. For example Rodri the golden ball winner didn’t have a standout club season again.

Mbappe is in contention with Harry Kane because of goals and yes to be sincere it definitely matters because lets goals are individual stats and this is an individual award. Mbappe finished the goal scorer in almost all the competitions he played in last season and that’s a big achievement individually. Goals were been used in certain years as the deciding factor like for Messi in 2011/2012 and Ronaldo in 2013/2014.

I think the decision of who the ballon d or winner will be will be a tough one because almost all the players involved are good at some points while they are not good at some points, let's take the world cup as an example. some players perform best while some do not, and some perform  best in the club level but couldn't do well at the national level, also did well but didn't win any trophy like Mbappé, he has scored in almost all conceptions as the best scorer but his team couldn't win a trophy to seal up his achievements, while we have a player like Kane, did well at the world cup and won a trophy in club level and for me, I will say the contention will be between this two players especially for goal scoring and taking their team on their shoulders.

[martinom]

I wouldn't write him off just yet. In four years' time if he is not injured and still playing for a club, he might rejoin the national team for one last World Cup (again). He might not be able to play a full match, but even coming on for the last 20 or 30 minutes, just his presence with the squad would add a huge boost to the team without even playing. This wouldn't be the first time he retires from international football and comes back. I don't think there is a human being that loves football as much as he does, or maybe this is all just wishful thinking from me as an Argentine who still can't accept what he announced.

I don't understand this fixation with the fact that he absolutely has to play another World Cup. He will be 43 by then and in my opinion he will have already retired. So i don't really understand this need and requirement to see him play another World Cup knowing full well that he won't be the same Messi as he once was. Ronaldo is 41 years old, he has accepted that his physique no longer accompanied him as before and has decided to retire from the national team for the next World Cup. He already knows that he won't play him anymore and he certainly has a more athletic physique than Messi's, so i think he will be a long time away from the retirement of one or the other.

[kennycryptoitalia]

I mean I agree the peak of Messi's career was sky high and probably unreachable for Mbappe or anyone else for now. That was beyond elite class.

However, a big part of that should be attributed to his teammates. Let's just take Xavi and Iniesta - both are among top-5 best central midfielders ever. Mbappe simply never had such a powerful duo behind him, not even remotely close.

Messi just happened to be in the right team at the right time. Individually he's not more gifted than Mbappe.

I believe it doesn't depend exclusively on goals. They certainly make the difference, but Messi is a player who had that something more in his play than strong players like Mbappé. He certainly had formidable players around him and this probably also had a big influence, but i don't think it's the only thing that makes the difference between the GOATs and other players.

[aipercoin]

There is no point being angry with other person own view of our fav players Messi although it can be annoying to see comparison between an icon who have helped his National team and clubs side to win various Trophies and making a remarkable record, being talk down at just like a common average players.

The international football community are going to miss Lionel Messi departure most especially now that he left unexpectedly and still has some playing years before his age official retirement.

I believe it is a correct decision. In the end he always said it: as long as my body allows it i will play. And apparently i think that moment has come for him. He probably feels he can no longer make a difference with his national team and doesn't want to feel like a burden to the team.

So it's right that he makes the decision he thinks is best for him and for the team.

[Hispo]

Argentina with Messi and without Messi are 2 completely different teams and that's why I don't see them as favorites for the next world championship in 2030.

Even though Football geniuses like Messi are indeed rare and difficult to get. I am still willing to give Argentina the benefit of the doubt and also willing to give their remaining players some credit, this is their opportunity to prove to their country and the rest of the world they are more than Messi.

They will probably under-perform as they adapt their plays and their strategy, which was previously centered about their Champion and super-star player. But time will tell whether they succeed on or not.

If they indeed end up becoming a mediocre team after Messi, when I would certainly withdraw my benefit of the doubt and call them out for what bad situation they have gotten themselves into.

[banana33]

Know doubt messi is a very good player capable of doing anything needed from a player with potentials but we most  also know on a very good day he will give chance for you players to come into prove there true potentials.
Before this current generation there have been some great players in the history of football but now they have handed over power of another people also and same also will Messi do in the Argentina's national teams amd will be replaced with someone else that will do same or even more than what he has done for them.

How can you say that someone can come along who can do more? i mean, Maradona succeeded, but he also played another football. It was a rougher, simpler type of football, where the players certainly didn't have the technical qualities of today. And therefore more spaces were created, the game itself was simpler. Messi played for twenty years, rivaling Cristiano Ronaldo and bringing everything he could to his national team; i don't think anyone better than this will come along.

[cande86]

Many of us may praise Messi's performance and many may not praise Messi's performance. In fact, those of us who do not praise Messi's performance may not be Messi's fans, but the reality is that Messi is truly the best player. We will miss him a lot and may not be able to see his extraordinary performance on the field. Maybe in the future, players like Messi or even better than Messi will be produced and will come to the team, but we will not get Messi back. However, since he is old enough, considering his age, his decision to retire is better. I love Messi very much and enjoy his game carefully. I hope to love Messi for the rest of my life and miss his performance even though I am a supporter of another team.

I just wonder how it is possible not to be a fan of Messi or Ronaldo. It's fine to have an idol, but to say that you don't admire one or the other is pure madness. They are two players who gave everything they could to this sport, who made this sport great, who made millions of fans passionate about it. So you can't help but be a fan of one or the other, because without one the other wouldn't exist.

[Shadiq]

Even though Football geniuses like Messi are indeed rare and difficult to get. I am still willing to give Argentina the benefit of the doubt and also willing to give their remaining players some credit, this is their opportunity to prove to their country and the rest of the world they are more than Messi.

They will probably under-perform as they adapt their plays and their strategy, which was previously centered about their Champion and super-star player. But time will tell whether they succeed on or not.

If they indeed end up becoming a mediocre team after Messi, when I would certainly withdraw my benefit of the doubt and call them out for what bad situation they have gotten themselves into.

For the past ten years, Argentina's main plan has been around Messi, his teammates preferred to score goals with Messi more than to score goals. Lionel Scaloni will have to change tactics now, it is not possible to say how Argentina will play with the new tactics before the next World Cup or any competitive tournament. Because, Argentina does not face tough opponents in friendly matches.

I also believe, just like you, that they have several young star players who are capable of playing well. They now have to play with a young team like Spain, Spain has shown their ability, now Argentina has to show that ability. I am not putting them ahead of the list of favorites for the next World Cup right now, nor am I even excluding them from that list.

The amount of star players they still have, may still easily take Argentina to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Argentina will now have to face some strong opponents to show their strength in a team without Messi. They may not be lost like Brazil or Germany or Italy right now. Because Argentine players have always been seen playing well for their country.

[HustleZ]

That is smart move, to retire from international football. It still gives him opportunity to represent football club and decreases level of his responsibility towards his nation. People would wish to see him on World Cup 2030, but I think then they would blame him for performance if Argentina did not make to finals or dont win it. Right now he can focus on playing for football club, maybe even not in top league, and enjoy the game.

I dont think its about a smart move or a dumb move now, it’s about his body and his ability to to play and contribute in the pitch, i truly messi could’ve played the 2030 WC and still would’ve played decently and atill he would’ve competed with youngsters but as we all know thet everything has an expiry date and every beautiful thing has to end at top level, if messi doesn’t retire like ronaldo and chases certain achievements and titles then he would also be shamed infront of the world like him, his whole career would be forgotten by his few bad performances soo it is also a smart move but it is not specifically a smart one it is a smart one as well as a very common decision any person would take

[danadc]

Messi is one and only extraordinary player, no one can compare to him. However, Messi's departure from the World Cup at this moment and his father's passing have caused a lot of pain in Messi's family. However, from my point of view, I would say that maybe this was the right time for him to leave the international World Cup, which is why he has left international football at this moment. However, I will say one thing again and again, Messi is the best player I have ever seen and many great players will be produced over the years, but no one can fill Messi's place. Messi's place will always be felt and missed by people.

That was a moment we all saw coming. What happened to Messi's father is unfortunate, very regrettable, and irreparable. Nothing can be done now, as death is part of life. Now that Messi is going through such a difficult and tough time, I think it wasn't the right moment to retire. Perhaps everything he's seeing prompted him to say that, even though he already has everything a player can achieve.

He's not my favorite player, but it hurts when a legendary player like him retires because we won't see him on the field anymore, sharing a bit of that talent he has.

[giorgione]

But age DID make a difference. He was slow in 2026. It was visible to all those who watched the quarter final of Switzerland. He was only scratching a few yards off of anybody else on that field. And yet. 8 goals. Tied for Golden Boot. At 39 years old.

He was very much a different player in many respects. The Messi who was the Barcelona dribble-stick in the half-way area and beat three defenders? That guy is gone. 2026 version just stood in spaces. Waited. Barely moved sometimes. Then it is the ball and before you knew it it was in the net.

And Scaloni deserves much more credit than he gets. The entire squad was designed to allow Messi to do just that. De Paul running. Enzo running. Mac Allister getting the dirty work done. So that all Messi could do was simply finish.

On the 2014, 2015, 2016 pain? There are three finals, but no trophies. But Higuain missed that sitter in Brazil. Chile beat them on penalties twice. He was making all tournament long. His people around him did not convert.

I wonder what you expected? Did time stop just for Messi and Ronaldo? Messi is a player who showed the best of himself at Barcelona, where he spent most of his career and where he literally wrote the history of that club. It is normal for Messi at 28 to perform better than Messi at 39. He gets older too, so his body holds up differently, but his foot is still the same.

[Smartprofit]

Oddly enough, I think Messi's departure could even be beneficial for the Argentina football team. Although, of course, everything depends on the wisdom and skill of the team's coach.🙋

In fact, focusing on the skills and abilities of one player isn't a good thing. Spain convincingly demonstrated this when they won the World Cup. Spain didn't have just one star player. All of them deserved to be called stars. At the same time, none of them tried to steal the show. They played within a unified system, and each brought their best to the team.

It's quite possible that after Messi's departure, Argentina will follow a similar path. They will be a well-coordinated and unpredictable team. It's quite possible that this very team will win the 2030 World Cup. 💁

[yixichloro2xx]

Oddly enough, I think Messi's departure could even be beneficial for the Argentina football team. Although, of course, everything depends on the wisdom and skill of the team's coach.🙋

In fact, focusing on the skills and abilities of one player isn't a good thing. Spain convincingly demonstrated this when they won the World Cup. Spain didn't have just one star player. All of them deserved to be called stars. At the same time, none of them tried to steal the show. They played within a unified system, and each brought their best to the team.

It's quite possible that after Messi's departure, Argentina will follow a similar path. They will be a well-coordinated and unpredictable team. It's quite possible that this very team will win the 2030 World Cup. 💁

What made you think that Argentina will become a formidable team after Lionel Messi leaves. It's better to remember how crucial Messi was to this Argentina team in 2020 Copa America, 2022 world cup, and 2026 world cup. Loosing a leader of that Caliber will be an issue for them.

Messi left and Scaloni's future in this team isn't certain. That lose in the final, made him optimistic, I remembered when he clearly stated that he needs to rethink whether he is going to continue. More over his contract runs out in December 2026. Argentina have great players who will do well, but I don't know if they will be able to perform like they do , because of how willingly they want to fight for Lionel Messi. Now that spark might be gone.  Another one that cause a downgrade in this team is if scaloni leave, he had built this team from the scratch, if the Argentina management employees a random coach, he might not succeed.

[Ambatman]

It's quite possible that after Messi's departure, Argentina will follow a similar path. They will be a well-coordinated and unpredictable team. It's quite possible that this very team will win the 2030 World Cup. 💁

What Spain shown has always been similar to why Spain was scary years ago
More like Barca tikitaka
Or German machines
Beautiful like they connected  to an Hive.
I don't really Argentina heading towards that direction
The young ones might want to be the next star
While the older are used to having Messi control the pace.

[Tonimez]

It's quite possible that after Messi's departure, Argentina will follow a similar path. They will be a well-coordinated and unpredictable team. It's quite possible that this very team will win the 2030 World Cup. 💁

What Spain shown has always been similar to why Spain was scary years ago
More like Barca tikitaka
Or German machines
Beautiful like they connected  to an Hive.
I don't really Argentina heading towards that direction
The young ones might want to be the next star
While the older are used to having Messi control the pace.

This could just be the summary of what the Argentinian team will look like in the coming few years. The growing lads would see it as an opportunity to show their full potential in the team and could take a couple of years to develop into another great team just like Spain did after loosing the great talents that won the 2010 world cup. This is another important side of an icon's retirement.

Messi and Ronaldo has set the records that not many players would ever reach in history. Messi has achieved everything already and now will be a challenge to the young talents to prove themselves. Now will be time to prove oneself and get a space in the national team starting line up for the Argentinian team.