Is this the end? Have we watched Messi s final game on global stage?

Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer of all time, endured a significant defeat on what could potentially be his final game under the bright lights of a global club tournament. His Inter Miami side was decisively beaten 4-0 by his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, at the FIFA Club World Cup in Atlanta. The match, attended by a crowd of 65,574, served as a poignant moment, prompting widespread discussion about the 38-year-old Argentine's future.

Despite the heavy loss, Messi demonstrated glimpses of the brilliance that has defined his career. "PSG are in great form, champions of everything, but people still pay for a ticket to see Leo Messi, even at 38 years old," acknowledged Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano after the game. PSG defender Lucas Beraldo echoed this sentiment, stating, "Leo is a unique person. To share a game with him was magnificent. I was a kid watching his magic on the television, so it's unique."

The looming question, however, is whether this marks the last time the world witnesses Messi performing on such a grand scale. Messi's contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of 2025, and his participation in the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada—remains uncertain, even to him. While teammates like Nicolas Otamendi and Luis Suarez anticipate his involvement, journalist Guillem Balague, who authored a book on Messi, suggests "nobody knows, least of all, Messi himself." Balague noted that Messi's family is settled in Miami, and he is reportedly in talks to extend his stay with Inter Miami. For now, he's taking his career "game by game, tournament by tournament," prioritizing a step-by-step approach.

Messi’s ultimate triumph of winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 removed the main counter-argument against his claim as the greatest ever. However, at 38, his absolute peak days are, understandably, behind him.

In a remarkable twist of fate, this Club World Cup match was the first time in Messi's 1,109-game career that he had faced a former team. It was also against the only club, PSG, where he arguably didn't meet the stratospheric expectations placed upon him, as his 32 goals in 75 games weren't enough to secure a Champions League title during his tenure. Ironically, PSG finally lifted the Champions League trophy this season after his departure, alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, and are now aiming to add the Club World Cup to their treble.

Messi still proved to be a player of decisive moments in this US tournament, notably with a brilliant free-kick goal against Porto in the group stage. Against PSG, after the French champions eased up in the second half, Messi had more opportunities. A masterful cushioned ball over the top created an excellent chance for Suarez, which was unfortunately squandered. "That's the touch of the tournament from Lionel Messi," remarked DAZN pundit Don Hutchison. Messi also had shots blocked and saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, including a header reminiscent of his 2009 Champions League final goal.

Inter Miami boss Mascherano praised Messi's overall performance, particularly in the second half when his team found more space. While it feels like this might be his final widely-viewed global club match, any future club-level appearances are likely to be confined to North America. The next FIFA Club World Cup isn't until 2029, by which time Messi will be 42—a prospect that seems, by all accounts, unlikely.