In the long view of the 2026 World Cup, Spain’s title and Lionel Messi’s improbable run to the final with Argentina will sit side by side. At 39, Messi was widely regarded as the tournament’s outstanding player, even though the official MVP award went to Spain midfielder Rodrigo Hernández.
England came close to stopping Argentina in the semi-final, taking the lead through Barcelona forward Gordon. But the match turned in the closing stages as Messi supplied both decisive passes for Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez to complete the comeback.
Quick facts
- Spain won the 2026 World Cup.
- Argentina reached the final with Messi aged 39.
- Rodrigo Hernández received the tournament MVP award.
- England led the semi-final through Gordon before Argentina won 2-1.
- Messi assisted goals by Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez.
Morgan Rogers, who faced Messi in that semi-final, said the experience left him struggling to comprehend the Argentine’s level so late in his career.
“Ronaldo is my personal favourite, but I played against Messi in a World Cup semi-final when he was 39 and I could not believe it,” Rogers said on Chelsea’s CFC Unlocked programme. “I cannot imagine what he was like at his peak. At his best, you must have had no chance against him. It was almost impossible to do anything in that match, and he was 39.”
England’s early retreat after taking the advantage proved costly. Messi’s late influence, first creating Fernández’s equaliser and then setting up Lautaro Martínez, sent Argentina through and added another remarkable chapter to his World Cup story.
