THE LAST TANGO! Messi drops huge retirement hint ahead of World Cup final as Argentine icon bids to bow out with second title on biggest stage

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Lionel Messi has appeared to call Sunday's

World Cup final

'the last tango' in a cryptic social media post.

Messi

, who turned 39 last month, and his

Argentina

team-mates will take on

Spain

in what could prove to the final chapter of his storied career.

Despite recently signing a new contract with

Inter Miami

which

keeps him at the club until 2028

, the idea of hanging up his boots after winning another

World Cup

triumph with Argentina has been floated. Messi has now further fuelled speculation over his potential retirement, either at international level or altogether, with a post on

Instagram

.

On Saturday night, the forward shared a photo of himself draped in the Argentine flag. Messi added: "What a journey we're having together, @adidasfootball… with 'The Last Tango'… Let's go for the final, let's go Argentina!!!"

'The Last Tango' is notably the name for his signature pair of boots manufactured by

Adidas

. Later on Saturday, Messi shared a group photo of Argentina's players and staff at their team hotel, and accompanied it with an emotional caption.

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"The best part of all these years wasn't just the titles, but the whole journey," the eight-time

Ballon d'Or

winner wrote. "Sharing every day with this group, competing together, getting back up in tough times, and enjoying every step.

"Thank you to each of my teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who works every day to keep this national team a family. Whatever happens tomorrow, this group has already written a story we’ll never forget and that no one can erase. GO ARGENTINA."

Before the tournament, Messi was coy on whether he'd even be involved due to his age. It's safe to assume, then, that he'll already have retired when the next World Cup takes place in 2030, with Argentina co-hosting the tournament for one match.

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Even at 43, though, he'd likely still have the magic to wow fans and destroy opponents. His second-half display against

England

in the semi-finals was vintage Messi, providing the assists for both goals as Argentina came from behind to reach New Jersey.

It'll be Messi's third World Cup final, having made the 2014 and 2022 editions. Argentina are looking to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cups, matching what rivals

Brazil

did in 1958 and 1962.