World Cup final will be my last game for Argentina – Messi
Footballing legend and captain of Argentina Lionel Messi – who on Tuesday led his team to a World Cup final, has confirmed Sunday’s final will be the last World Cup game of his career.
Messi, 35, scored his fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and helped in the set up of two other goals, to lead Argentina to a 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.
Despite being widely regarded as the greatest ever footballer, and playing in five World Cups (including this one) Messi has never won the World Cup tournament.
“I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying,” he said.
“Everything I lived in this World Cup has been emotional, seeing how much it has been enjoyed in Argentina.
“There are a lot of years from this year to the next one. I don’t think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant.”
Qatar World Cup finals
Argentina will take on either France or Morroco (who will play on Wednesday) in the final on Sunday – which will see Messi make a record 26th appearance in a men’s World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Messi has won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times. He has won the Champions League four times, 11 top-flight titles and Copa America with Argentina in 2021.
The World Cup is the one title Messi can’t yet add to his impressive CV. Argentina lost to Germany in the 2014 final in Brazil.
“We are going to do our best, as we have done up until now, so that this time it really happens – we really win it,” said Messi, who retired from international duty in June 2016 before reversing his decision two months later.
“I have been enjoying it the past few years, being with the national side. I am really enjoying everything that is happening to us.
“To get the Copa America, to reach the World Cup with 36 games unbeaten, and to finish all that trajectory in a final is just incredible.
“I hope the people in Argentina enjoy themselves and what we are doing. They shouldn’t doubt we are giving absolutely everything.”
He is currently leading the Golden Boot race in Qatar alongside Kylian Mbappe.
Messi plays for the French team Paris St-Germain after having a long and successful career with Barcelona.
He debuted for his national team at the age of 18 in 2005 and has scored 97 goals in 172 games.
