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Lionel Messi has left the door open for a sensational appearance at the 2030 World Cup after cementing his legacy as the greatest goalscorer in the history of the competition. The Argentina icon, currently leading the Albiceleste’s charge at the 2026 tournament in North America, recently surpassed Miroslav Klose to take his total tally to 18 goals across six editions. The GOAT Refuses to Say Goodbye Despite turning 39 this week, Messi is showing no interest in discussing his retirement from the international stage. When quizzed about the possibility of featuring in the 2030 World Cup, which will celebrate the tournament’s centenary, the Inter Miami star remained evasive but optimistic about his longevity. “I don’t know. The truth is, I’m not thinking about that right now. It seems a bit far off but, as I said, I’m living one day at a time and focused on the present,” Messi told reporters, per ANI. The veteran forward, who has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in their opening two group matches against Algeria and Austria, insisted his continued participation depends entirely on his physical state. Messi added: “Yes, yes… I will continue for some time, as long as I can contribute, feel good physically, and help my teammates… I will keep playing.” His comments suggest that the dream of seeing him compete at age 43 remains very much alive for football fans globally. Record-Breaking Exploits On The World Stage Messi’s current form suggests that age remains little more than a number for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. By netting a brace in the 2-0 win over Austria, he became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history, moving past the previous record of 16 goals. It has been a clinical start to the 2026 campaign, following his hat-trick in the opening match that also made him the oldest player to score a treble in the competition’s history. The former Barcelona star was humble when reflecting on his milestone, even after missing a penalty earlier in the match. “The truth is that it is spectacular how it happened,” Messi admitted. “Today I had the penalty that I could have increased the score with, but if I had scored the penalty, perhaps I wouldn’t have scored the other two. You never know, but I’m happy with the result.” Peak Physical Condition at 39 While most players have long since retired by their late thirties, Messi continues to stun observers with his fitness levels. While celebrating his 39th birthday, the Argentine captain shared footage of himself performing perfect pull-ups at the Albiceleste’s training base, demonstrating the rigorous gym work behind his on-field success. This physical dedication has convinced many that he could follow in the footsteps of other sporting icons who played well into their forties. Pundits are already speculating on what his next club move might be, with former England international Gabby Agbonlahor agrees that a 2030 World Cup appearance is on the cards. Agbonlahor even suggested that if Messi were to make a shock move to the Premier League with Aston Villa, he would lead them to both domestic and European glory. Defending The Title in North America For now, the primary focus remains defending the World Cup trophy. Argentina have already secured their place in the Round of 32 with a game to spare, allowing manager Lionel Scaloni to potentially rest his stars for their final Group J encounter against Jordan. Scaloni has been vocal about his desire to keep his captain happy and thriving, noting the positive atmosphere within the squad as they pursue back-to-back world titles. “We believe it’s the group that gets through both the good and the bad moments. We know that being beside a friend always makes things better. That’s how we all feel, and I imagine Leo feels the same way, based on what he said,” Scaloni remarked. With the knockout rounds looming, Messi’s record-breaking form and elite physical condition suggest that Argentina remain the team to beat as they march toward the final in New York.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Canada threw itself a party at home and Switzerland strolled in to rearrange the furniture. Two goals in the first dozen minutes of the second half settled it. Switzerland and Canada both advanced to the knockout round as well. But the co-hosts’ 2-1 defeat in Vancouver was a reminder that hosting a World Cup gets you a great crowd, not a free pass. Here are my takeaways from Switzerland’s win over Canada: 1. Swiss Banking: The Swiss Take Group B, Canada Cashes In Anyway Both teams arrived on four points, and both left with what they came for — sort of. Switzerland’s win lifts Murat Yakin’s side to seven points and first place in Group B, which should buy it the friendlier-looking half of the round of 32 bracket. Canada dropped to second. But here’s the part worth celebrating in Vancouver: second place still means advancing. For a nation that went home pointless and goalless in 1986 and again in 2022, this is uncharted territory — the first time Canada has ever escaped a World Cup group. Losing the group on the final day dents pride, not the standings. Qualification was effectively secured before kickoff, and Canada is happy to take a knockout berth on home soil, however it arrives. 2. No Galáctico, No Hype — And Top Of Group B Anyway Here’s a fun exercise: name a Swiss superstar. Take your time. Switzerland just won Group B without a single player who the casual fan would cross a room to watch. Captain Granit Xhaka is a 33-year-old metronome rebuilt at Sunderland. Defensive rock Manuel Akanji quietly anchors Inter Milan. Gregor Kobel keeps goals out of the net for Borussia Dortmund, and Breel Embolo leads the line for Rennes. All solid players at the club level, but not one is a household name — and that’s precisely why everyone keeps sleeping on them. Murat Yakin’s side is organized, compact, ruthless in transition and lethal from set pieces — the footballing equivalent of the kid who always did the homework and stayed after class for extra help. Switzerland reached the quarterfinals at each of the last two Euros. Overlooked suits the squad just fine. It only means nobody enjoys drawing the team that quietly keeps advancing. 3. Hot, Cold, And Through: The Jesse Marsch Verdict Three group games, three completely different versions of Canada. A flat 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina to open, despite being ranked 34 places higher. Then a 6-0 demolition of Qatar that smelled like a breakout. Then this: busy, competitive and ultimately second-best. That’s the Marsch experience in a sentence: high-energy, high-press, gloriously unpredictable, occasionally combustible. What did Wednesday teach us? That the press can be split by quick, direct play, and that two soft moments after halftime — including a goalkeeper who got a hand to the second goal but only helped it in — will sink you against good teams. But also that this group doesn’t fold; Canada outshot Switzerland and pulled one back through substitute Promise David. The verdict is a genuine knockout side with a wobble in it. Dangerous on a good day, beatable on a bad one. 4. The Kid From Geneva: Johan Manzambi Has Arrived Remember the name, because Switzerland already has. Johan Manzambi — a 20-year-old box-to-box midfielder from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg — delivered the breakout performance of the Swiss tournament. He set up Rubén Vargas seconds into the second half, then doubled the lead himself with a direct shot that squeezed past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. This was no fluke. The Geneva-born youngster — son of Angolan and Congolese parents — had already come off the bench to score twice against Bosnia and Herzegovina, becoming the youngest Swiss player ever to score a brace at a World Cup. Manzambi has three goals and an assist in his first tournament, at 20, from midfield. Murat Yakin has spent the group stage learning what Freiburg already knew, and Premier League scouts are circling.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports