Hunch. Messi said on 31 August that little of his career is left, which lifts this above a record of none in five, measured over ninety days rather than this 73-day run from the farewell, but he is scoring freely and is signed to 2028.
This market resolves on Inter Miami's news page at intermiamicf.com/news, with BBC Sport and The Guardian as the two fallback sources, at 23:59 UK time on 18 December 2026. It resolves YES only if Messi or Inter Miami announce that he is retiring from playing or name the date or match of his last game as a player; talk of doubts, a new contract or a move to another club does not count.
We looked for friendlies since 2000 that were named in advance as a great attacking player's last game for their country, in men's and women's football. Great means the player had their country's record for goals or for games, or had won the Ballon d'Or or the FIFA world player award. Of the last eight, only Robbie Keane scored. Four of the eight are women's games, which makes the comparison with Messi weaker. Wayne Rooney is the closest case: England recalled him for one game after he had already retired.