Will this be Messi’s last World Cup with Argentina? Will he retire from international soccer?
National team captain Lionel Messi hopes to lead Argentina to World Cup victory in the final against France after a very tough championship for his team.
Soccer superstar Leo Messi will attempt to lead Argentina to victory against France on Sunday after the big win against Croatia in the Qatar 2022 World Cup semifinals.
La Albiceleste is looking to win its third World Cup in its history, and it would be the perfect send-off for Messi in the national team.
Messi’s World Cup swan song
Messi will produce as much magic as he can to make sure the team wins the championship, especially because he has said that this will be his last appearance at the tournament.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward had announced last month that Qatar 2022 would be his last World Cup. Speaking to journalist Sebastian Vignolo of the South American streaming service Star+ he said, “This will be my last World Cup for sure. The decision has been made.”
He did not say that he would be retiring from international competition completely, but it would be logical to consider that his announcement of retirement from the World Cup could signal the end to his international career as well.
Messi has delivered outstanding numbers for his country, with 184 caps and 96 goals, and a major international trophy when they defeated Brazil in last year’s Copa America final.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would be turning 39 when the next World Cup is held in 2026.
“There’s some anxiety and nerves at the same time. It is the last one,” the 35-year-old admitted before this year’s tournament began. “In a World Cup, anything can happen. All the matches are very tough. The favorites don’t always end up winning… I think there are other teams that are above us.”
Argentina’s shock loss to Saudi Arabia was proof that one should expect the unexpected at the World Cup, and that the tables are so easily turned. Expect the star striker to pull out all the stops against France.