Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has predicted that Argentina captain Lionel Messi will retire from professional football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking to EscapistMagazine (via GOAL), Petit also dismissed speculation linking Messi with a potential return to Barcelona this year, stating that the club has already moved on, particularly with the emergence of young talent Lamine Yamal.
“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?”
The Frenchman was firm in his stance that a reunion between Messi and the Catalan club is highly unlikely. “There’s no way we’ll see Messi back at Barcelona. I wish him the best in getting to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and I think then he’ll retire,” he added.
Messi, currently with MLS side Inter Miami, left Barcelona in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain after the club was unable to renew his contract due to financial constraints.
