At 39, Messi Defies Age and Dominates Opponents on World Stage

Legendary footballer Lionel Messi turns 39 years old today.

In 2019, Messi remarked that "the body does not forgive," a statement that seemed natural and expected from a player approaching his mid-thirties who had played countless matches and carried immense pressure few athletes in history have faced.

He was referring to time itself—the relentless opponent that cannot be outmaneuvered or bypassed with magic moves—since age ultimately imposes its conditions on everyone, even the greatest players.

However, the years that followed demonstrated that this statement was closer to a joke.

Early Signs of Longevity

Since issuing his warning about the body's harshness, Messi appeared to decide to let others suffer this harshness instead of himself.

While many interpreted his comments as a prelude to a gradual decline, the Argentine quietly prepared for the most successful and influential period of his international career.

Just two years later, he finally lifted the Copa América trophy with Argentina, ending one of modern football's most persistent questions. Despite winning nearly everything with Barcelona, he had long been asked, "What has he done with Argentina?"

The answer came not just anywhere, but at Maracanã Stadium against Brazil itself, as Messi claimed the trophy he had awaited for so long, closing a chapter that had remained open for years.

Yet, the Copa América victory was only the beginning.

A Remarkable World Cup in Qatar

The phrase about the body became even more ironic after the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

At 35 years old, Messi delivered the tournament he had dreamed of since childhood, leading Argentina to the World Cup title in one of the most thrilling editions in history.

Between his goals, decisive passes, and exceptional performances, the climax was the image of him lifting the golden trophy that had eluded him for years, as if the advancing age that was supposed to catch up with him had finally surrendered.

Following this, Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or, adding another layer to the irony.

While many spoke of the end of Messi's era and the dawn of a new age, the Argentine added yet another individual accolade to his record, extending his lead as the most decorated player in the history of this prestigious award.

Comparisons with Other Legends

Interestingly, other football legends have spoken similarly about their bodies, but their endings differed.

Zinedine Zidane, for example, admitted at the end of his career that his body could no longer execute the ideas in his mind and that it was time to stop. This is a common story among stars as the first signs of aging appear.

Messi, however, seemed to hear the same warning but chose to ignore it completely.

He said the body does not forgive, yet in the following years he ran less but caused more damage.

He touched the ball fewer times but made a greater difference.

He aged year after year, while the number of opponents discovering that "his body is the one that does not forgive" kept growing.

Birthday in the Spotlight

On June 24, 2026, Messi celebrates his 39th birthday in a manner unlike most players.

He is not celebrating at home or from the stands, but within the World Cup itself, continuing to break records and write new chapters in a tournament some believed he had given his all to four years ago.

Therefore, perhaps Messi's old phrase deserves a slight revision after all that has transpired: yes, the body does not forgive, but it seems Lionel Messi is the one who does not forgive his opponents.

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