Argentina star Lionel Messi drops huge retirement hint in emotional ‘last tango’ post before World Cup final v Spain

LIONEL MESSI dropped a retirement hint as he called tonight’s World Cup final “The Last Tango”. The Argentine superstar is aiming to win back-to-back World Cups as his side take on Spain in New Jersey. Lionel Messi posted a snap of himself draped in an Argentina flag Credit: instagram @ leomessi Messi, 39, is bidding for World Cup glory again Credit: Shutterstock Editorial At 39, Messi is unlikely to play for another four years until the next edition. Posting on Instagram ahead of the match, Messi wrote: “What a journey we’re having together, @adidasfootball… with ‘The Last Tango’… 👟 Let’s go for the final, let’s go Argentina!!!” Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Accompanying the message was a picture of the Inter Miami star draped in an Argentina flag. The second slide featured a separate snap of Messi’s blue and white adidas boots – named “The Last Tango”. Messi’s post swiftly received more than 10 million likes. Inter Miami will be hoping that tonight isn’t the former Barcelona superstar’s swansong. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 12 goals in 14 MLS appearances this year prior to the World Cup. And he remains under contract with Inter Miami until December 2028, having agreed on a three-year extension last October. Most read in Football WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS Messi shared a snap of his ‘Last Tango’ boots Credit: instagram @ leomessi Ahead of tonight’s game, Messi also posted a huge team photo featuring all his team-mates and Argentina staff. In an emotional message, he wrote: “The best part of all these years wasn’t just the titles, but the whole journey. Sharing every day with this group, competing together, getting back up in tough times, and enjoying every step. “Thank you to each of my teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who works every day to keep this national team a family. “Whatever happens tomorrow, this group has already written a story we’ll never forget and that no one can erase. “GO ARGENTINA”. Ahead of the match, a photo of Messi with a five-month old Lamine Yamal has circulated online. The meeting took place after Yamal’s parents won a charity photoshoot in Barcelona. Addressing the incredible picture, Messi said: “I had that photo with him when he was a baby. Facing each other now is incredible. “He is a huge player I’ve followed a lot because he plays for a club I love. “He’s one of the best in the world. He has his whole career ahead of him. But we will give our all to ensure he doesn’t become champion this time.” Lionel Messi met Lamine Yamal as part of a charity photoshoot in 2007 Credit: AP Comment now