Former Chelsea and France midfielder, Emmanuel Petit, has predicted that Argentina legend Lionel Messi will hang up his boots after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking to EscapistMagazine (via GOAL), Petit dismissed recent speculations about Messi returning to Barcelona on loan from Inter Miami, saying such a move is unrealistic.
“Lionel Messi has been linked with a loan back to Barcelona, but Lamine Yamal isn’t going to be on the bench,” Petit said. “Messi could play in the No. 10, but we know that he doesn’t run and can Barcelona control the midfield? There’s no way we’ll see Messi back at Barcelona.”
The Frenchman believes the 2026 tournament will mark the end of an era for the 36-year-old forward. “I wish him the best in getting to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and I think then he’ll retire,” Petit added.
Messi famously left Barcelona in 2021 after the Catalan club failed to renew his contract, joining Paris Saint-Germain before moving to MLS side Inter Miami.
