Even though he is a shadow, Messi is still a point of view.

At the age of 38, in the crushing defeat against PSG, Messi was no longer the brightest star, but it was enough to remind the world why the whole world was so infatuated with him.

At the age of 38, Messi no longer has the acceleration he had at his peak, and no longer has the strength to carry the entire team.

We may have just witnessed Lionel Messi’s last game on the global stage – no fanfare, no glory, just a heavy defeat to his former club PSG. Yet, even in that moment of resignation, Messi left behind a few gentle touches – a reminder that he is still a great artist of football, even if the spotlight is gradually fading.

Football still owes Messi his final applause

In Atlanta, in front of 65,000 spectators, Messi's Inter Miami lost 0-4 to PSG at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. An ​​outcome that reflected the difference in class, and could very well be the last time the world gets to watch Messi in a major international match.

“PSG are a perfect team, they have won everything. But people still pay to watch Messi, even though he is 38 years old,” coach Javier Mascherano shared after the match. And it is true, in the midst of the storm called PSG, Messi - even though he is only a shadow of himself - is still enough to make people follow his every step.

At 38, Messi no longer has the acceleration of his peak, no longer has the strength to carry the whole team. But those legs still retain a rare elegance. There was a free kick at the end of the match - everyone held their breath waiting for a miracle. The ball did not go in, but no one blamed him. Because sometimes, seeing Messi standing in front of the ball, gaining momentum, is enough.

Messi's contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of 2025.

In the second half - when PSG took the initiative to slow down - Messi had more room to play. A classy chip to Luis Suarez - unfortunately his teammate could not take advantage. Don Hutchison, a commentator for DAZN, was full of praise: "It was the best touch of the tournament. The way he put the ball past the defender with absolute precision - if Suarez had scored, it would have been a genius assist."

Messi also had a skillful dribble in the penalty area, a header that brought back memories of the 2009 Champions League. Those moments were not many, but still enough to make people nostalgic. He is no longer the Messi of his golden age, but he is still Messi - the one who can turn touches into art.

In the end, it's all about choice.

Messi’s contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of 2025. The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and the question is: will Messi try again? Those closest to him – Otamendi, Suarez – believe so. But even Guillem Balague, his official biographer, admits: “Nobody knows – not even Messi himself.”

Messi's family is settling in Miami. Life is easy, no pressure. According to Balague, Messi is taking things one step at a time: one match, one tournament. No long-term plans, no promises for the future. If he renews his contract, he might consider the World Cup later. If not, then the last match was probably a silent farewell.

And if that's true, then this was a very Messi farewell: quiet, no fuss, no grand farewell. Just a loss, a few nice touches, and a sad look as if he already knew the outcome.

Messi's future is in question.

This is the first time Messi has faced a former club. And ironically, it is PSG - a place he came to with high expectations, but left in silence. After saying goodbye to Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, PSG won the Champions League - as if modern football is moving forward without names.

Meanwhile, Messi – the all-time leading goalscorer for Barcelona, ​​Argentina and Inter Miami – is probably nearing the end of his career. And if the FIFA Club World Cup doesn’t return until 2029, when he will be 42, it’s hard to imagine what kind of event will be able to bring Messi back to the world stage.

If this is the last time Messi plays in a major international game, then we should be grateful that we still get to see him play – even if it’s just for a few moments. Football, after all, is about emotions. And Messi, even if he’s no longer the best, is the last to leave the hearts of his fans.

Source: https://znews.vn/dau-la-cai-bong-messi-van-la-diem-nhin-post1564719.html