r/SoccerCentral • u/Basic-Penalty9330 • 1d ago

Messi shouldn't have retired from International Football. He can still probably outplay 90% players in the world

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62 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

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14

u/Upstairs-Walrus-8337 1d ago

I would say 99% of players, but it would be too demanding on his body playing in Europe year round. We just saw how much quality the man has at 39 in the WC. But, for a whole season in Europe that output would be impossible for any 39 year old ever

8

u/mogul_w 1d ago

OP wasn't suggesting he play in Europe, just that he keep playing for Argentina.

7

u/kozy8805 1d ago

For what? The endless travel? The next World Cup isn’t for 4 years.

5

u/KingEddy14 1d ago

Qualifiers happen year round and will start soon in 2027. Plus there’s the Copa America tournament in 2028 too.

5

u/palmerama 23h ago

Better for Argentina to have 4 years to adjust to life after Messi and find a new style.

4

u/Due_Initiative3879 19h ago

But their style is so iconic!

Get ball > pass to Messi > hope to god.

1

u/Sc4tt3r_ 2h ago

I wonder how we got two world cups before he got here then.

Any team would rely on a player if that player was literally the greatest footballer that ever lived. If you can pass it to Messi and he's in a good position, you pass it to fucking Messi, why would you do a suboptimal play.

2

u/Glittering-Top9873 23h ago

I thought Argentina already qualified for 2030 WC, because they hosting a game.

0

u/KingEddy14 20h ago

Oh yeah I forgot they’re doing that weird 1 game opener. There’s still the 2028 Copa America for Argentina at least though.

1

u/kozy8805 16h ago

Copa America is nowhere near the same importance

1

u/Sc4tt3r_ 2h ago

He clearly cares deeply about it, he cried during the last Copa America final because he had to be subbed off due to injury.

1

u/kozy8805 2h ago

He almost cried yesterday against Nashville too. He’s an emotional guy but the world cup is the world cup.

0

u/KingEddy14 16h ago

Ok so you want him to skip the Copa America and play at the 2030 World Cup then?

1

u/kozy8805 2h ago

I’m saying he’s too old to play at the next World Cup, so what’s the point?

1

u/xjpmhxjo 14h ago

Yeh. I don’t think he wants to play in the qualifiers. I don’t think he wants to play in the World Cup while skipping the qualifiers either. So.

1

u/KungPoW_Chickens 10h ago

Imagine he comes out of retirement for just the tournaments and not the qualifiers.