Much has been said that the 2026 World Cup was the last for great soccer stars. Among them would be players of the stature of Neymar Jr., Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. However, Roberto Carlos is not so sure about that. The former Canarinha player believes that Messi could play in another World Cup.

The former Real Madrid winger praised the talent and quality of the Albiceleste captain. By leaving aside the rivalry between national teams, Roberto Carlos recognized the greatness of Messi.

"It is a spectacle to see him play: a player with a lot of quality, who represents South American football, Argentine football. Let him enjoy it because it could be his last World Cup; it could be... it could be his last World Cup," said the former Brazilian soccer player in an interview with Olé.

Given Roberto Carlos' doubts about Lionel Messi's possible last World Cup, the Brazilian believes that nothing is certain. The former footballer highlighted the way in which footballers like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo take care of themselves. Roberto Carlos does not rule out seeing them in 2030.

"I think so, that he can calmly (play another World Cup). They take care of themselves so much that in the end they can play more, both he and Cristiano," said the former Real Madrid player.

2030 World Cup

The year 2030 will commemorate 100 years since the creation of the FIFA World Cup. This cup will have opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, but a large part of the matches will take place in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

For that World Cup, the great legends of today will be much older. Cristiano Ronaldo would be 45 years old, Lionel Messi would be 43 years old and Neymar Jr. would be 38 years old.

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Essam El-Hadary was among those called up for Egypt at 45 years old. However, the Egyptian player was a goalkeeper. The oldest position player to play in a World Cup was Cameroonian forward Roger Milla at 42 years old.