Argentina roster projection without Lionel Messi: What 2030 World Cup could look like if soccer legend retires

Lionel Messi has become a staple whenever a soccer fan hears the word "Argentina." Father time never ceases, however, which means Messi's time at the forefront of La Albiceleste's attack will be coming to an end at some point.

Many fans have speculated whether or not the 2026 tournament will be the Argentine's final ride in international soccer, or at least at the World Cup. At the time of the 2030 World Cup, Messi will be 43 years old, and it would be unprecedented for the eight-time Ballon d'Or to continue at his high level of play.

Argentina does have some young faces who will be called on to take the country into a new era of soccer. 

Here's what the 2030 roster for La Albiceleste could look like without Messi at the helm.

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Argentina roster projection without Lionel Messi

An Argentinian team without Messi does not seem possible at this current moment, but it is a reality fans may soon have to accept. The "Little Boy From Rosario" will be 43 years old at the time of the next World Cup, and a new era for La Albiceleste will most likely be underway.

Young phenoms Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono will be called on to lead Argentina's attack through their Messi-less era. The roster will, however, most likely feature a plethora of established leaders to take the wheel with their longtime captain gone.

Here's a look at how the 2030 World Cup roster for Argentina could shape up:

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Last time Argentina played World Cup without Lionel Messi

The most recent time Argentina played an entire World Cup without Messi came in the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea. What this campaign quietly showed was the perfection of time in which Messi came to Argentina's aid.

That year, Argentina were put into a Group F that featured England, Nigeria, and Sweden. La Albiceleste started the World Cup strong with a 1-0 win over Nigeria courtesy of a lone Gabriel Batistuta goal in the 63rd minute.

The 2002 tournament began to take a turn for the worse when Argentina shared the pitch with England during their second group-stage match. Just before halftime, current USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino tripped England's Michael Owen as he was dribbling in the box to set up a penalty kick for David Beckham. The English star converted for the game's lone goal and gave Argentina a crucial loss that would haunt their World Cup run.

La Albiceleste's final group-stage match came against Sweden. To have the best chance of advancing to the knockout stages, Argentina needed to win. Shortly into the second half, Argentina's Matias Almeyda fouled Tobias Linderoth while he was dribbling just outside of the South American side's box. Sweden midfielder Anders Svensson unleashed an absolute stunner that curled into the top right corner of Argentina's net. Hernan Crespo would equalize for Argentina in the 88th minute, but it was too little too late.

The following day, England and Nigeria drew 0-0, which meant Argentina had been eliminated in the opening group stage for the first time since 1962.

Here are the highlights from Argentina's 1-1 draw to Sweden that eliminated the South Americans from the 2002 tournament:

Is this Messi's last World Cup?

At the moment, Messi has not come out and given an official word on whether or not the 2026 World Cup would be his last. Many fans, however, expect this summer's tournament to be the Argentines' final. Messi will be 43 at the 2030 World Cup.

Messi may not be the only Argentina player who could retire folowing the 2026 World Cup. La Albiceleste's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, said if the country won the 2026 tournament and successfully defended their 2022 win, he would call it quits.