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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Emma Hayes

Lionel Messi and football’s ageless wonders can excel into their 40s

Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi took his tally for the 2026 World Cup to seven with another goal in Argentina’s win against Cape Verde. Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images

I would be shocked if the record for the most goals scored by a player in a World Cup – Just Fontaine’s 13 in 1958 – is not broken this summer. That is how elite the world’s top forwards are. They are all pushing each other to keep scoring more. We are so lucky to be watching them at the same time.

I also believe, because of the skill set required to be a world-class, modern-day finisher, we are going to see more and more playing into their 40s, so much so that it may be possible that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could go to another World Cup.

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