{"id":17560,"date":"2026-07-20T14:45:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=17560"},"modified":"2026-07-20T14:45:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:15:48","slug":"lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>He walked off the pitch at New York New Jersey Stadium in the early hours of July 20, 2026, having played his last minutes in a FIFA World Cup\u2122 Final. No trophy this time. Spain were too organised, the space too limited, the game too tight for one man to change alone. At 39, Lionel Messi gave this tournament everything he had left. It was still more than almost anyone else on the pitch.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#A_Tournament_of_Comebacks\" title=\"A Tournament of Comebacks\">A Tournament of Comebacks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#The_Assists_That_Decided_It\" title=\"The Assists That Decided It\">The Assists That Decided It<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#The_Final_%E2%80%94_When_Spain_Took_Him_Away\" title=\"The Final \u2014 When Spain Took Him Away\">The Final \u2014 When Spain Took Him Away<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#Is_this_Goodbye\" title=\"Is this Goodbye?\">Is this Goodbye?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>This was almost certainly his last World Cup. And yet \u2014 he has not said so. He has not announced his retirement from international football. That single thread of hope is the only thing keeping millions of football fans from having to say a definitive goodbye. For now, we hold onto it.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Relive every Messi moment from the <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\"><i>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/i><\/a><i> on ZEE 5.\u00a0 With\u00a0 <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"><i>ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription <\/i><\/a><i>Quarterly Plan at \u20b9799 or the Annual Plan at \u20b91,699 for full match replays and tournament coverage.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Tournament_of_Comebacks\"><\/span><b>A Tournament of Comebacks<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Argentina&#8217;s 2026 campaign was not a smooth procession. The group stage was comfortable \u2014 Messi scoring in every group match, Argentina managing their energy, looking like a team pacing themselves for the longer run. Then the knockouts arrived, and with them, genuine adversity.<\/p>\n<p>In the Round of 32 against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/cape-verde\/cape-verde-squad\">Cabo Verde<\/a>, Argentina found themselves under pressure before eventually asserting themselves. But the real test of character came later. Against Egypt in the Round of 16 and against England in the semi-final, Argentina were behind with fewer than ten minutes of normal time remaining \u2014 twice, in the knockout rounds of a World Cup, staring at elimination. Twice, they came back. That does not happen without belief. And belief at that level does not exist in a team without a player the others trust absolutely.<\/p>\n<p>Messi had scored in every match up to and including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/egypt\/egypt-squad\">Egypt <\/a>game, where his goal \u2014 the equaliser \u2014 was the moment that kept Argentina alive. It was a composed, intelligent finish from a player who knew precisely what the match needed and delivered it.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Assists_That_Decided_It\"><\/span><b>The Assists That Decided It<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the quarter-final against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/switzerland\/switzerland-squad\">Switzerland <\/a>and the semi-final against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/england\/england-squad\">England<\/a>, Messi shifted into a different gear. Goals were no longer his primary contribution. Three assists across those two matches, each one the kind of pass that requires a player to see the game ahead of everyone else.<\/p>\n<p>Eight goals and four assists across the tournament. Argentina&#8217;s most impactful player from the first group game to the 120th minute of the Final. The numbers are astonishing. The age at which they were produced makes them so much more.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Final_%E2%80%94_When_Spain_Took_Him_Away\"><\/span><b>The Final \u2014 When Spain Took Him Away<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Final was the one match this tournament where Messi could not find the game. Spain&#8217;s structure \u2014 Rodri anchoring the pivot, the defensive lines compact, the press intelligent \u2014 cut off the supply routes that Argentina&#8217;s system runs through. He barely touched the ball in the attacking third. He drifted, searched, tried to create from positions that offered him nothing. It was not a failure of effort or desire. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/spain\/spain-squad\">Spain<\/a> simply made sure that Lionel Messi did not receive the ball in the spaces he uses.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_this_Goodbye\"><\/span><b>Is this Goodbye?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Two consecutive World Cup Finals. A winner&#8217;s medal in 2022. A runner-up medal in 2026. Eight goals and four assists at an age when most footballers have already hung their boots. A career that contains every trophy club and international football can offer \u2014 Copa Am\u00e9rica, the Finalissima, the FIFA World Cup, the Ballon d&#8217;Or more times than any other player in history. None of what happened in the Final at New York New Jersey Stadium diminishes any of it.<\/p>\n<p>He has not declared retirement. He has said nothing. And so the small, stubborn hope remains \u2014 that there is one more night in the blue and white number 10 shirt of Argentina, one more moment where we get a glimpse of that magic touch. We do not know if it is coming. We know only that as long as he has not closed the door, we will wait for it.<\/p>\n<p>He is one of a kind. He always will be.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Watch Messi&#8217;s FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 campaign in full on ZEE 5 \u2014 every goal, every assist, every moment. Available on ZEE 5 now.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>He walked off the pitch at New York New Jersey Stadium in the early hours of July 20, 2026, having played his last minutes in a FIFA World Cup\u2122 Final. No trophy this time. Spain were too organised, the space too limited, the game too tight for one man to change alone. At 39, Lionel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":16088,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3047,3031,3654,3655],"class_list":["post-17560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-argentina-football-team","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-lionel-messi-legacy","tag-no-10"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"FIFA 2026: Messi&#039;s FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 journey ended in the final, but his legacy remains unmatched in football history.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"FIFA 2026: Messi&#039;s FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 journey ended in the final, but his legacy remains unmatched in football history.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ZEE5 Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-20T09:15:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1132\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"585\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sourav K\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ZEE5India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ZEE5India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sourav K\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sourav K\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033\"},\"headline\":\"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-20T09:15:48+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/\"},\"wordCount\":742,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Argentina Football Team\",\"FIFA World cup 2026\",\"Lionel Messi Legacy\",\"No-10\"],\"articleSection\":[\"FIFA World Cup 2026\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/\",\"name\":\"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-20T09:15:48+00:00\",\"description\":\"FIFA 2026: Messi's FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 journey ended in the final, but his legacy remains unmatched in football history.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg\",\"width\":1132,\"height\":585,\"caption\":\"Lionel Messi\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"FIFA World Cup 2026\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"ZEE5 Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"ZEE5\",\"alternateName\":\"Zee Entertainment Enterprises\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"ZEE5\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZEE5India\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXOgAl4w-FQero1ERbGHpXQ\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033\",\"name\":\"Sourav K\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Sourav K\"},\"description\":\"With over 10 years of experience in sports journalism, Sourav is a passionate football writer who has been closely following the game since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. What began as a childhood fascination with football has evolved into a lifelong commitment to understanding and analysing the sport at every level. As both an ardent fan and a former football player, Sourav brings a unique perspective to his writing. He blends firsthand playing experience with in-depth statistical analysis. Having witnessed the rise and fall of footballing dynasties across multiple FIFA World Cups, UEFA Champions League campaigns, Premier League seasons, and international tournaments, he offers readers insightful, balanced, and engaging coverage of the beautiful game. His work is driven by a desire to make football analysis accessible to everyone, right from casual followers looking to stay informed to passionate supporters seeking deeper tactical insights.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch","description":"FIFA 2026: Messi's FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 journey ended in the final, but his legacy remains unmatched in football history.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch","og_description":"FIFA 2026: Messi's FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 journey ended in the final, but his legacy remains unmatched in football history.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/","og_site_name":"ZEE5 Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/","article_published_time":"2026-07-20T09:15:48+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1132,"height":585,"url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Sourav K","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@ZEE5India","twitter_site":"@ZEE5India","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Sourav K","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/"},"author":{"name":"Sourav K","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033"},"headline":"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch","datePublished":"2026-07-20T09:15:48+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/"},"wordCount":742,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg","keywords":["Argentina Football Team","FIFA World cup 2026","Lionel Messi Legacy","No-10"],"articleSection":["FIFA World Cup 2026"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/","name":"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-20T09:15:48+00:00","description":"FIFA 2026: Messi's FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 journey ended in the final, but his legacy remains unmatched in football history.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg","width":1132,"height":585,"caption":"Lionel Messi"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/lionel-messi-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-a-legacy-no-result-can-touch\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"FIFA World Cup 2026","item":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 \u2014 A Legacy No Result Can Touch"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/","name":"ZEE5 Blog","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization","name":"ZEE5","alternateName":"Zee Entertainment Enterprises","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"ZEE5"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/","https:\/\/x.com\/ZEE5India","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXOgAl4w-FQero1ERbGHpXQ"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033","name":"Sourav K","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Sourav K"},"description":"With over 10 years of experience in sports journalism, Sourav is a passionate football writer who has been closely following the game since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. What began as a childhood fascination with football has evolved into a lifelong commitment to understanding and analysing the sport at every level. As both an ardent fan and a former football player, Sourav brings a unique perspective to his writing. He blends firsthand playing experience with in-depth statistical analysis. Having witnessed the rise and fall of footballing dynasties across multiple FIFA World Cups, UEFA Champions League campaigns, Premier League seasons, and international tournaments, he offers readers insightful, balanced, and engaging coverage of the beautiful game. His work is driven by a desire to make football analysis accessible to everyone, right from casual followers looking to stay informed to passionate supporters seeking deeper tactical insights.","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"}]}},"blog_post_layout_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",150,78,false],"full":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",1132,585,false]},"categories_names":{"3019":{"name":"FIFA World Cup 2026","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"}},"tags_names":{"3047":{"name":"Argentina Football Team","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/argentina-football-team\/"},"3031":{"name":"FIFA World cup 2026","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"},"3654":{"name":"Lionel Messi Legacy","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/lionel-messi-legacy\/"},"3655":{"name":"No-10","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/no-10\/"}},"comments_number":"0","wpmagazine_modules_lite_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",150,78,false],"cvmm-medium":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",300,155,false],"cvmm-medium-plus":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",305,158,false],"cvmm-portrait":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",400,207,false],"cvmm-medium-square":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",600,310,false],"cvmm-large":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",1024,529,false],"cvmm-small":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",130,67,false],"full":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x585-5.jpg",1132,585,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17560"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17560\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17561,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17560\/revisions\/17561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}