Etcheverry urges Messi to stay with Argentina until 2030, proposes global petition
Former Bolivia captain Marco Antonio Etcheverry has urged Lionel Messi to remain with Argentina through the 2030 World Cup and has proposed a global petition to try to convince him. He praised Messi’s 2026 World Cup performances and said football would not be the same without him.
Etcheverry, widely recognised as an MLS legend from his playing days, made the appeal amid mounting public interest in the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s international future. His comments add to growing calls for Messi to extend his time with the national team. The suggestion of a worldwide petition is intended to rally fan support around the prospect of Messi appearing at the 2030 tournament.
Etcheverry proposed a global petition to convince him to play at the 2030 World Cup. The former Bolivia captain praised Messi’s 2026 World Cup performances and said football would not be the same without him. Those remarks underline Etcheverry’s desire to see the forward continue representing Argentina.
As an MLS legend and former Bolivia captain, Etcheverry’s public entreaty has drawn attention from supporters and observers who follow Messi’s decisions closely. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains central to discussions about Argentina’s plans for the coming World Cups. Etcheverry’s intervention has been noted among the array of voices urging Messi to prolong his international career.
The idea of mobilising fans worldwide through a petition seeks to convert admiration for Messi into organised pressure for his selection in 2030. Etcheverry’s proposal highlights the international reach of the conversation surrounding Messi’s future. His remarks contribute to the sustained public debate over whether the superstar will keep playing for Argentina.
Etcheverry’s appeal adds another public voice to the debate over Lionel Messi’s international future and the possibility of his participation in the 2030 World Cup. The proposed global petition signals persistent hopes among some quarters that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will extend his career with Argentina.
