Messi at 39, a teammate surprise, and 2030 isn't ruled out

Messi, 39, on a World Cup birthday

Lionel Messi turned 39 on Wednesday. His teammates had a surprise waiting. "Obrigado ao meu país e a todo o mundo por tantos parabéns. Cada ano se superam e me emocionam mais," Messi wrote. "Obrigado aos meus companheiros por esse presente tão especial." (1) The gift itself? His teammates gave him something unusual, and 40 others joined in anonymously (7). Team spirit looks intact.

Messi keeps 2030 alive

"I don't know. The truth is, I'm not thinking about that right now. It seems a bit far off," Messi said when asked about the 2030 World Cup. Then he left the door wide open. "I will continue for some time, as long as I can contribute, feel good physically, and help my team-mates. I will keep playing." (5) He would be 43. No one is closing that book.

Group J is already locked up

Your team tops Group J. Argentina are one of 12 sides already through to the knockout stage, joining Brazil, Germany, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, the USA, Morocco, and Bosnia (6). The group phase isn't even over and the path is clear.

Your round of 16 opponent: Group H's second place

The first knockout opponent is set. Argentina face the Group H runner-up on Friday, July 3 (4). No need to look past that match yet, but the bracket beyond spills into something bigger.

Brazil could wait in the semifinal

Argentina and Brazil landed on the same side of the draw (3). If both advance, a semifinal between Messi's Argentina and Neymar's Brazil is on the table. England, France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal sit on the other half (3). Your team would only meet one of them in a final.

Fan reactions

Fans are splitting their attention between the present and the distant future. The 2030 Messi quote lit up r/soccer, with supporters debating whether a 43-year-old captain really could go again. Meanwhile, Mexico became the first team to take nine points from the group stage, and the thread tracking perfect records has Argentina fans pointing out your team could match that feat.