There had been spurious speculation of the 39-year-old pushing through to the 2030 World Cup, which will be partially held in his homeland of Argentina. Father’s Illness Paints Messi’s World Cup in Haunting New LightLionel Messi was rendered powerless in his third World Cup final appearance. “It was something completely unrelated to soccer,” Messi would explain after the match before his father’s illness was publicly unveiled. The veteran forward channelled his torrent of inner turmoil into one of the greatest performances any World Cup player has ever put together. Lionel Messi (left) was with his father when he won the 2022 World Cup.