Former Chelsea and France midfielder Emmanuel Petit has predicted that Lionel Messi will retire from professional football after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Petit also dismissed recent rumours linking the Inter Miami star with a possible return to Barcelona, insisting that the new generation, led by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, has already taken over at the Spanish club.
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No Barcelona Return for Messi
Speaking in an interview with EscapistMagazine (via GOAL), Petit made it clear that Messi’s time at Barcelona is truly over, despite the emotional bond between the player and the club.
“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 role, but we know he doesn’t run like he used to. Can Barcelona really control the midfield with him in the side? There’s no way we’ll see Messi back at Barcelona.”
Retirement After 2026 World Cup
Petit believes Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, will hang up his boots after leading Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
“I wish him the best in getting to the 2026 World Cup, and I think then he’ll retire,” Petit added.
Messi’s Current Career
Lionel Messi, now 36, left Barcelona in 2021 after the club was unable to offer him a new contract due to financial constraints. He joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) before moving to the MLS side Inter Miami, where he continues to impress both on and off the pitch.
While many fans still hope for a fairytale return to the Camp Nou, experts like Petit believe the time has come for Messi to look ahead to retirement after one last World Cup appearance.
