“2026 World Cup Will Be Messi’s Last Dance” — Emmanuel Petit Says Barca Return Is Off the Table as Yamal Takes Over

Emmanuel Petit has confidently predicted that Lionel Messi will call time on his iconic football career after leading Argentina to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former France international dismissed any hopes of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner returning to Barcelona, stating that the club has already moved on, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal stepping into Messi’s legendary boots.

Speaking in an interview with EscapistMagazine (via GOAL), the former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder argued that Messi’s current fitness level and style of play wouldn’t align with Barcelona’s intense midfield demands, especially with the emergence of hungry, young talents.

“Lamine Yamal isn’t going to be on the bench,” Petit stated. “Messi could play in the No. 10, but we know that he doesn’t run. Can Barcelona control the midfield with that?” he questioned.

Petit emphasized that Messi’s chapter at Barcelona is definitively closed, pointing out that any romantic speculation about a loan deal from Inter Miami is purely wishful thinking. “There’s no way we’ll see Messi back at Barcelona,” he added. “I wish him the best in getting to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and I think then he’ll retire.”

Messi, now 37, continues to shine at Inter Miami in the MLS but has also been open about winding down his career and focusing on leading Argentina one last time at the next World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

The legendary forward’s Barcelona exit in 2021, due to the club’s financial constraints, still leaves fans heartbroken, but Petit believes the new era at the Catalan club must be embraced. “Barcelona have entered a new phase, and Yamal is symbolic of that future,” he said.

With the countdown to the 2026 World Cup already ticking, speculation around Messi’s final bow grows louder. If Petit’s forecast comes true, the world will witness the end of an era — a farewell to arguably the greatest player the game has ever seen.