Former Chelsea and France midfielder, Emmanuel Petit, has predicted that legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi will retire from professional football after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a recent interview with Escapist Magazine (via GOAL), Petit dismissed rumors linking Messi with a potential return to his former club, Barcelona. He emphasized that the current Barcelona squad, particularly young star Lamine Yamal, has already moved on from the Messi era.

“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 role, but we know he doesn’t run—and can Barcelona control the midfield with that setup? There’s no way we’ll see Messi back at Barcelona.”

Petit concluded by wishing Messi the best as he approaches what he believes will be the final chapter of the footballer’s illustrious career. “I think he’ll retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” he added.

Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, left Barcelona in 2021 due to financial constraints that prevented the club from renewing his contract. He later spent two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain before heading to the United States